§ Mr. Hunterasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will set up a committee of inquiry, under independent chairmanship, to consider the decrease in migratory and indigenous fish stocks and its implications for conservation and the Scottish economy.
§ Mr. John MacKayMy right hon. Friend does not consider that there are circumstances to justify the setting up of such a committee of inquiry at this time.
§ Mr. Hunterasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps his Department is taking to halt the decrease of migratory fish stocks brought about by excessive exploitation by commercial concerns; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John MacKayCatch statistics published by my right hon. Friend's Department for the period since 1952 show substantial year to year variations in catches of migratory fish. The position varies from year to year but, for the country as a whole, it is the netting catch that has fluctuated; the rod and line catch has been relatively steady. There is no evidence of a decrease in stocks through excessive exploitation by legal netting methods.
A number of measures have been taken to try to improve runs of fish to Scottish rivers. These include a permanent ban on drift netting, increased efforts to reduce poaching and a reduction of the quotas of salmon to be taken in Greenland and the Faroes.