§ Mr. CarmichaelTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will use his power of direction under the 1209W Crown Estate Act 1961 to reduce the rents paid by aquaculture industries for use of the seabed in the event of negotiations with EU partners in Brussels on 20 February 2003 failing to secure a continued protection against salmon dumping. [98507]
§ Mrs. Liddell[holding answer 24 February 2003]: I have been asked to reply.
Neither my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer nor I have any plans to exercise the power in question.