§ Mr. Wm. Rossasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps he is taking this year which were not taken last year to conserve salmon stocks.
§ Mr. Adam ButlerNone. This is a matter for the Foyle Fisheries Commission and the Fisheries Conservancy Board for Northern Ireland. However, I understand the Foyle Fisheries Commission has taken a series of additional conservation measures this year. These include shortening the commercial fishing season by one week, reducing the weekly commercial fishing time by 12 hours and prohibiting daylight fishing seaward of Lough Foyle.
§ Mr. Wm. Rossasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he has consulted angling bodies about the conservation of salmon stocks during the last 12 months; and if so, if he will list the organisations concerned.
§ Mr. Adam ButlerNo. The Fisheries Conservancy Board for Northern Ireland and the Foyle Fisheries Commission are directly responsible for the conservation and protection of the salmon and inland fisheries of Northern Ireland and are, I understand, in regular contact with angling clubs and organisations. Officials of the Department of Agriculture are in regular contact with both the board and the commission.