Lord Lucasasked Her Majesty's Government:
Which department or agency they intend should, following Scottish devolution, have responsibility for the north east drift net fishery; and to what extent they intend that Scotland should contribute to the costs of eliminating that fishery.
§ Lord DonoughueThe north east coast salmon drift net fishery is regulated by the Environment Agency and is subject to the salmon and freshwater fisheries legislation applying in England and Wales; this situation will not be affected by Scottish devolution. The fishery is currently being phased out, and there are no plans to use public funds to accelerate this process.