§ Mr. Atkinsonasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the total cost of research into salmon fish diseases as against research concerning coarse fish for the years 1970–71 and 1972.
§ Mr. Anthony StodartThe total cost of the Department's research on salmon and freshwater fisheries was £102,000 in 1970–71, £114,000 in 1971–72 and is expected to be £144,000 in 1972–73. About one-third of this expenditure was
MEMBERSHIP OF RIVER AUTHORITIES AND LICENCES ISSUED IN 1971 River Authorities Licences Issued—Calendar Year 1971 River Authority Number of Fishery Members Freshwater Fish Non-migratory Trout Total Bristol Avon … … … … 1 26,587 2,608 29,195 Essex … … … … 2 55,160 1,193 56,353 Great Ouse … … … … 2 96,879* 96,879 Isle of Wight … … … … 2 432 30 462 Kent† … … … … 2 54,290 43,815 98,105 Lincolnshire … … … … 2 65,416 854 66,270 Mersey and Weaver … … … … 1 Nil Nil Nil Welland and Nene … … … … 2 60,748 5,072 65,820 *Combined freshwater and trout licence. †Financial year ended 31st March 1972.
§ Mr. Atkinsonasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the number of fishery representa-
448Won research into fish diseases, of which much the greater part was devoted to salmonids. It is difficult to be precise about the non-disease research effort applied to game and coarse fish because some of the work undertaken is of benefit to both. However, a sizeable proportion of the total resources available is applied to coarse fish problems.