§ Mr. Masonasked the Secretary of State for Wales (1) if he will seek a report from the Welsh water authority on the measures the authority is taking to maintain, improve and develop fisheries pursuant to its statutory obligations under section 28 of the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act 1975; and if he will make a statement on the substance of the report;
(2) how much of the net total expenditure of the Welsh water authority was spent on maintaining, improving and developing fisheries in pursuance of its statutory obligations under section 28 of the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act 1975 in the last year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Nicholas EdwardsThe Welsh water authority reports annually to Ministers on the discharge of its
Year Location Convictions Penalties Defendants 1980 River 22 £1,145 fines Not known Estuary 0 1981 River 37 £1,150 fines 14 Estuary 6 £250 fines 2 1982 River 26 £535 fines 15 Estuary 3 £200 and confiscation of nets and two months sentence suspended one year for each defendant 3 1983 River 7 £375 fines 3 Estuary 0 1984 River 8 £210 fines 1 Estuary 2 Four months suspended for two years each defendant. A subsequent prosecution was taken by the police for the theft of the poacher's boat whilst in water authority custody 2
Mr. Mason askedthe Secretary of State for Wales what information he has as to the trend in the level of poaching on the River Usk and estuary; from what organisation she has received information; whether the Welsh water
436Wstatutory functions, including fisheries, and its expenditure. These reports are laid before Parliament in October each year. The report for the year ended 31 March 1984 indicates that out of £112.745 million in total operating expenditure £1.378 million was spent on fisheries.
§ Mr. Masonasked the Secretary of State for Wales what steps is he taking in association with the Welsh water authority to combat poaching on the River Usk and in the estuary; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Nicholas EdwardsCombating illegal fishing on the River Usk and in its estuary is the responsibility of the Welsh water authority. The river and estuary are patrolled by six of the authority's bailiffs, suitably equipped for the task. There are also eight honorary bailiffs recruited from fishery interests in the area, to assist with routine enforcement duties.
§ Mr. Masonasked the Secretary of State for Wales if he is satisfied that financial restrictions on Welsh water authority expenditure are not impeding the discharge of its statutory duties to protect fishing waters against salmon poachers and that the authority has sufficient finance to carry out its statutory obligations under section 28 of the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act 1975; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Nicholas EdwardsI am satisfied that the Welsh water authority has access to sufficient financial resources to undertake its fisheries functions and carry out its statutory obligations.