§ Mr. Soamesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if, in view of the decrease in the number of salmon appearing in Scottish rivers in the current year, he will consider banning the netting of salmon and sea trout.
§ Mr. John MacKayI am aware of concern about the level of salmon catches in some Scottish rivers. Catches fluctuate from year to year for a variety of reasons and it is not at all clear that the angling catch would be significantly improved by further restrictions on net fishing. In any event, we have no power under present legislation to prevent the proprietors of salmon fisheries from exercising their legal rights.