§ Mr. Sillarsasked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will hold discussions with those owning salmon netting rights at the mouth of Scottish rivers with a view to agreeing a code of practice whereby these proprietors will engage in voluntary stocking programmes in co-operation with local angling associations;
(2) how many persons hold an hereditary right to salmon netting at the mouth of Scottish rivers; and if he will list the rivers and the proprietors;
(3) how many proprietors with salmon netting rights have, over the past 10 years, been guilty of a breach of the statutory conditions governing methods and times of fishing;
607W(4) what are the statutory conditions governing methods and times of fishing for salmon at the mouth of the Rivers Doon and Ayr;
(5) what methods are employed by the Government for ensuring that proprietors of salmon netting rights adhere to the statutory conditions governing methods and times of fishing.
§ Mr. Hugh D. BrownInformation on the number of salmon netting proprietors at the mouth of Scottish rivers and the number of those found guilty, in the past 10 years, of breaches of the stautory conditions governing the methods and times of fishing is not available except at disproportionate cost.
For the conditions governing methods and times of fishing for salmon at the mouth of the Rivers Doon and Ayr I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave him on 12th May 1976. Enforcement of the salmon laws rests with water bailiffs appointed by district salmon fishery boards and with the police.
As regards the restocking of rivers there is already a substantial amount of work being done by salmon proprietors. I have no powers to intervene in this matter but I support any proposal aimed at improved conservation of stocks.