§ Mr. Dewarasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to review the law governing methods of fishing in Scottish inshore waters and the means of enforcing it.
§ Mr. RossThe present code of legislation, both in statutes and in byelaws,424W regulating the methods of fishing which may be employed in inshore waters round the Scottish coasts dates originally from the 1880s. Circumstances and fishing methods have changed greatly since then, and I am setting up an independent committee to examine the existing statutory provisions and the means of enforcing them.
The committee's terms of reference will be:—
To review the law governing the methods of sea fishing in Scottish coastal waters, having regard to the changing pattern of sea fishing, the requirements of fishing communities and the conservation of fish stocks; and the cost and method of enforcement, having regard to the value of the fisheries concerned, and the cost and effectiveness of alternative methods; and to make recommendations.I am glad to say that the Hon. Lord Cameron, D.S.C., Q.C., has agreed to act as chairman of the committee and that the following have accepted my invitation to serve on it:
R. H. W. Bruce of Sumburgh, Esq., C.B.E., Lord Lieutenant of Zetland, formerly Chairman of the Highland Transport Board.Councillor Andrew Forman, Member of Aberdeen Town Council, official of Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers.Professor S. G. E. Lythe, M.A., Professor of Economic History, University of Strathclyde.Professor Farquhar MacRitchie, M.A., LL.B., LL.D., Professor of Conveyancing, University of Aberdeen.James C. Robertson, Esq., Shipowner, former member of Highland Transport Board.