§ Mr. KirkwoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will place in the Library a copy of the Tweed Commissioners' report on the operation of the River Tweed Protection Order on the River Tweed; [52284]
67W(2) when he expects to make a final announcement about the proposed revocation of the River Tweed Protection Order; and if he will make a statement. [52285]
§ Mr. MacdonaldA copy of the report by the River Tweed Commissioners and Borders Angling Federation on the operation of the Tweed and Eye Protection Order will be placed in the Library. The report confirms the steps that have been taken, since my noble Friend Lord Sewel's announcement on 24 April, to restore the areas of access lost to anglers and contains a commitment by the authors of the report, riparian owners, and Tweed Foundation to satisfy the various objectives of the Protection Order (access, management, conservation).
My noble Friend welcomes the steps that have been taken and the recognition within the report of the obligations and responsibility which the Protection Order bestows. The Protection Order for the Tweed and Eye, in common with those elsewhere, will continue to be monitored but, in the light of the progress that has been made, no further revocation action is intended at this time.