§ Mr. Beithasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is satisfied with the scope and effectiveness of the present law restricting the use of gill nets in salmon fishing within Scotland and the area covered by the Tweed Fisheries Act 1857.
§ Mr. John MacKayThe present arrangements are important for the conservation and management of stocks of salmon in the Tweed and other Scottish rivers. As part 431W of the Government's review of legislation on and administration of salmon and freshwater fisheries in Scotland a discussion document was issued in 1979. The comments received indicate that there is wide support for a tightening of the law on the use of gill nets for catching salmon and my Noble Friend will be considering this matter further.