§ LORD FRASER OF LONSDALEMy 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 they are aware that Macdonald Hastings, in his book called A Glimpse of Arcadia, makes his characters net a salmon in the lower reaches of the Thames in 1861; whether any salmon have been reported in the river since then; whether it is considered that pollution has diminished in recent years so that salmon can now be expected in the Thames and whether, if and when salmon appear in this river, they will inform the House.
§ LORD MOWBRAY AND STOURTONMy Lords, the Answer to the first part of my noble friend's Question is, "Yes". As regards the second part, I am informed by the Port of London Authority that salmon were reported in the Thames Estuary in 1932, when 3 were caught at Southend in the early part of the year and 2 at Leigh-on-Sea in the late autumn. Two salmon are rumoured to have been caught in a trawl off Southend last August. As regards the third part of the Question, I would draw attention to the Annual Report by the Port of London Authority and the Greater London Council on Pollution Control for the year ending December 31, 1971, which has been laid before the House to-day. The Report shows a welcome increase in fish life in the tidal river, and records the presence of sea trout as far up river as Teddington; and that is an 270 indication that the water quality in the lower reaches would not have been a barrier to migratory salmon at all times, even last year. If salmon do reappear it will not, I am sure, require a Government announcement to bring the fact to notice.
§ LORD FRASER OF LONSDALEMy Lords, in view of my noble friend's surprising and encouraging report, may I ask whether Her Majesty's Government will consider planting 5 million or 10 million fertilised salmon ova in the middle or northern areas of the Thames river? It is possible that a smolt—that is, a yearling salmon—might be willing to go through the mess to get to the ocean and, remembering what a beautiful river the Thames is, might come back again.
§ LORD MOWBRAY AND STOURTONMy Lords, I am always willing to bring to my right honourable friend's attention anything the noble Lord may say. I think that the word which my noble friend was looking for is kelt, rather than smolt.
§ LORD FRASER OF LONSDALENo; it is smolt.
§ LORD MOWBRAY AND STOURTONMy Lords, we are getting on with the cleaning of the river and £28 million has been allocated to extra sewage control. Part of this sum has already been spent. But I think that Nature must first do its bit.
§ LORD BALFOUR OF INCHRYEMy Lords, is the noble Lord aware that it is not much good having salmon in the Estuary if they cannot get further up river? Therefore, can we look to the use of public monies in future to provide the necessary salmon ladders at the various weirs?
§ LORD MOWBRAY AND STOURTONYes, my Lords, I take the noble Lord's point; but I do not think he heard my first Answer. Sea trout, commonly called salmon trout, have been up as far as Teddington. They were also caught at Fulham, Charlton and places like that last year. But let us get the river clean before we decide whether we need ladders.
§ LORD BALFOUR OF INCHRYEBut they cannot get beyond a weir unless there is a ladder. Does the noble Lord not know that?
§ LORD GREENWOOD OF ROSSENDALEMy Lords, would it be right to summarise the noble Lord's original lengthy but welcome Answer in this way: that when a test was made in 1957 no varieties of fish were found between Teddington and Gravesend, that by 1967 the number had gone up to over 40 and that it is now over 50? Is it not time that we started paying tribute to the public bodies and their officials who have been responsible for magnificent achievements in the field of clearing up pollution of the River Thames?
§ LORD MOWBRAY AND STOURTONMy Lords, I am very grateful to the noble Lord, Lord Greenwood of Rossendale: what he said is perfectly true. Not only have over 50 varieties of fish been found in these reaches, but many birds which have not been seen nesting and being around there for a long time, have also come to the tidal reaches.
§ LORD FRASER OF LONSDALEMy Lords, if one of us wished to kill a salmon from the Terrace, to whom should he apply for permission?
§ LORD MOWBRAY AND STOURTONMy Lords, I think I should need notice of that question.
§ LORD NUGENT OF GUILDFORDMy Lords, is my noble friend aware that the last time a salmon was caught above Teddington was in 1923, in Boulter's Lock? Perhaps it was not the only poor fish caught in Boulter's Lock! Is my noble friend also aware that I think that if the fish arrive as far as Teddington they will be able to negotiate the weirs as they now stand. But if any ladders are needed to assist them the Thames Conservancy, and I hope their successors, will see that they are provided.
§ LORD MOWBRAY AND STOURTONMy Lords, I think we are all aware that the Thames Conservancy have a very able and excellent Chairman, and when the water has been cleared the fish will look forward to his help.
§ LORD BLYTONMy Lords, do the Government not think that if the salmon in the Thames are working according to rule this is a case for the Industrial Court?
§ LORD MOWBRAY AND STOURTONMy Lords, the salmon in the Thames will look forward to working to rule.