HL Deb 12 November 1987 vol 489 cc1556-7WA
The Earl of Selkirk

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is the quality of rights granted by the Crown Commissioners to fish farmers on the sea bottom below the level of low water, whether these rights are transferable and whether they require registration in the Register of Sasines.

The Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (Lord Young of Graffham)

The Crown Estate Commissioners grant leases of the seabed for fish farming purposes in respect of the Crown's proprietary interests. The leases do not permit assignation or subletting. While certain of these may be registered in the Register of Sasines by the grantees, this is neither compulsory nor customary.