HC Deb 29 July 1982 vol 28 cc716-8W
Mr. Neubert

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what are the proposals for compulsory seat belt wearing in Northern Ireland.

Mr. David Mitchell

If the draft regulations which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport laid before Parliament on 13 July 1982 are approved, corresponding regulations will be made for Northern Ireland. They will come into force on the same day as those in Great Britain.

The Northern Ireland regulations will exempt from the requirement to wear seat belts members of the security forces—army, police and prison officers—while on and off duty. Other exemptions will be similar to those in Great Britain. As in Great Britain arrangements will be made for those on low incomes and the disabled to obtain free examination for the issue of a medical certificate through the Department of Health and Social Service's medical referee service. Others who want to seek medical

Fixed Engines Net and Coble
Year Salmon and Grilse Sea Trout Salmon and Grilse Sea Trout
Numbers Weight (lbs) Numbers Weight (lbs) Numbers Weight (lbs) Numbers Weight (lbs)
1971 116,469 832,265 15,391 37,410 131,112 1,029,741 78,495 204,954
1972 129,270 951,380 18,409 41,319 138,694 1,235,318 71,621 181,842
1973 180,566 1,416,021 16,106 37,708 157,089 1,438,244 71,725 185,807
1974 135,610 1,038,870 16,709 37,670 128,479 1,118,110 79,708 206,398
1975 104,754 786,584 12,146 27,901 118,059 1,086,135 59,499 155,006
1976 75,425 507,511 9,778 22,282 61,599 509,333 54,968 141,146
1977 71,541 526,755 10,588 24,395 80,319 644,101 51,341 143,323
1978 85,019 620,235 10,447 23,104 76,858 685,296 58,268 150,365
1979 82,426 558,177 14,343 31,111 98,764 876,128 75,803 185,512
1980 60,056 496,948 19,704 42,887 70,824 636,508 84,052 227,198
1981 not available not available

Comprehensive information about the value of salmon is not available centrally. The following table indicates the average price for the years shown.

Average price pence per lb
Year Salmon Grilse Sea Trout
1971 71 45 40
1972 87 57 55
1973 77 58 60
1974 94 62 77
1975 115 86 78
1976 216 159 121
1977 225 135 124
1978 206 156 136
1979 310 205 169
1980 242 157 138
1981 196 149 126

Mr. Home Robertson

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will take steps to protect the jobs of fishermen employed at trout and salmon netting stations on rivers and estuaries in Scotland.

Mr. John MacKay

My right hon. Friend is aware that over the years some Scottish netting stations have closed. The economics of such stations turn on a number of factors not directly within the Secretary of State's control, including the number of men employed at particular stations, the numbers of salmon caught and the price obtainable for wild salmon.

exemption will be able to obtain a certificate from their doctor on payment of the £19 fee recommended by the British Medical Association.

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