HC Deb 28 April 1977 vol 930 cc415-6W
Mr. Sillars

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what conditions attach to the licence which allows a single individual to net salmon at the mouth of the River Doon; and what steps are taken to ensure that the licensee adheres to the terms of the licence;

(2) if the individual who has sole rights to net salmon at the mouth of the River Doon is required to contribute to restocking the river; and what are the conditions attached to any restocking provision;

(3) what is the yearly payment to the Government for salmon netting rights at the mouth of the River Doon; and by how much it has varied over the last five years.

Mr. Hugh D. Brown

Salmon fishing rights are a private hereditament in Scotland. Therefore, no licence is required from, and no payment is due to, the Government for salmon netting rights at the mouth of the Doon. Nor is there a restocking obligation on proprietors of salmon fishing rights in Scotland, although I understand that the proprietor in question implements a voluntary stocking programme. Proprietors of fishings must, however, adhere to the statutory conditions governing methods and times of fishing.