§ 3.5 p.m.
§ LORD BALFOUR OF INCHRYEMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether British scientists taking part in the investigation into the effects of salmon fishing off the Greenland coast have returned to this country; whether Her Majesty's Government have received any report of their views; and, if so, whether the Government will make a statement.]
§ THE JOINT PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR SCOTLAND (LORD HUGHES)My Lords, two of my Department's scientists took part with Danish scientists, in a point programme of salmon tagging in two fjords on the west coast of Greenland in September and October last, and reported on their return. The Danish authorities provided the facilities and 223 salmon averaging about 7½ lbs. were tagged and released. A good deal of other material was collected which is still being studied and analysed. If some of the tagged salmon are in due course caught, this will provide information about the movement of salmon after their presence in Greenland waters. Further discussions are now proceeding with the Danish authorities with a view to arranging a similar evercise on a somewhat larger scale next autumn.
§ LORD BALFOUR OF INCHRYEMy Lords, arising out of that reply, may I 334 ask whether, when the Minister read his Scotsman this morning, he saw the article reporting that a 1964 tagged salmon of the North Esk had just been caught off Greenland, and whether that does not support the need for very early action?
§ LORD HUGHESMy Lords, the programme of Business I have this afternoon has rather interfered with the amount of newspaper reading I have been able to do this morning, but I think that what the noble Lord has said emphasises the value of these experiments.
§ VISCOUNT DILHORNEMy Lords, does what the noble Lord has said indicate that no action will be taken about this for at least two years?
§ LORD HUGHESMy Lords, no.