§ Mrs. Winifred Ewingasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what evidence he has received to indicate that English 870W vessels licensed to catch salmon by drift net at sea are endangering Scottish salmon stocks; what representations, if any, he has received on the matter; from whom; and what reply he has sent.
§ Mr. Hugh D. Brown:No specific evidence has been received to indicate that licensed drift netting by English vessels, which is limited to the area south of Holy Island, is endangering salmon stocks, though investigations about the effect of licensed drift netting are being undertaken by scientists of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. My right hon. Friend has not received any recent representations about this particular matter, although he has received a number of representations from various bodies in favour of, and also against, the introduction of a licensing system in Scottish waters.