§ Mr. MacleanTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects to publish his conclusion on mechanisms to maintain the present fishing arrangements on the Solway Firth; and what plans he has to introduce legislation on this matter. [37603]
§ Mr. MacdonaldIt has long been recognised that fishing rights within the Solway can give rise to jurisdictional difficulties. Local discussions were held in autumn 1997 with a view to protecting existing fishing rights in the event of a fixed jurisdictional boundary being established. The Government are still considering how this protection might best be achieved.