§ Mr. George Y. Mackieasked the Secretary of State for Scotland to what extent the Hunter Committee's remit covered an examination of the development in salmon fishing off Greenland; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RossThe Committee's remit, to review the law relating to salmon and trout fisheries in Scotland and the Tweed, and to consider the extent to which fishing for salmon and trout there should be regulated, covered consideration of the development of the Greenland salmon fishery in so far as that development might affect Scottish salmon stocks and fisheries. I propose to present the Committee's final report to Parliament and to publish it next month.
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§ Mr. George Y. Mackieasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware of the threat to the British salmon fishing industry arising from the rapidly developing fishing off the coast of Greenland; and what action he will take.
§ Mr. RossI am aware of the recent development of a salmon fishery off the coast of Greenland, but the evidence so far available does not enable us to assess the possible effects on the British salmon fishing industry. Investigations have accordingly been arranged to start this autumn, in co-operation with Danish and Greenland scientists, to secure further information to enable such an assessment to be made. It is necessary to have this fuller information before we can decide what further action, if any, is appropriate.