§ Mr. Peter Millsasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he proposes to take further steps to preserve bass stocks in view of the strong representations that have been made to hon. Members on this matter.
§ Mr. Buchanan-SmithNo. As I replied to my hon. Friend on 16 March 1981, I do not consider that further measures, in addition to the increase in bass minimum size to 32 centimetres from 1 May this year and to 38 centimetres from 1 May 1983, would be justified.
§ Mr. Peter Millsasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will publish in abridged form the evidence collected by his scientists on the bass stocks of the United Kingdom and the use of microfilament nets on these fish.
§ Mr. Buchanan-SmithA paper summarising the evidence requested by my hon. Friend has been placed in the Library of the House.
§ Mr. Peter Millsasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will take steps to encourage local authorities to ban or regulate bass fishing in their areas.
§ Mr. Buchanan-SmithNo. However, sea fisheries committees, which contain members appointed by local authorities, are competent to make local byelaws. These are subject to ministerial confirmation.