§ Mr. Fairbairnasked the Secretary of State for Scotland when the Government intend to bring in legislation to improve the prospects of fish farming in Scotland; and if he will take steps to classify the activities of fish farming as agriculture, since it is food production, and to bring it within the responsibility of the agricultural officials in his Department rather than the Fisheries Section.
§ Mr. Hugh D. BrownMy right hon. Friend has no plans at present for any legislation directed particularly at fish farming. The newly-enacted Freshwater and Salmon Fisheries (Scotland) Act 1976 contains provisions which free fish farming from legal restraints relevant to the conservation of wild fish. I do not accept that all food production should be treated for all purposes on the same footing as agriculture.