§ Mr. Onslowasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his present estimate of the total number of people in north-east England who are directly or indirectly employed in the north-east drift net salmon fishery; and if he can express the total in terms of man days per year.
§ Mr. Gummer[pursuant to his reply, 12 May 1986, c. 372]: It is not possible to estimate the total employment involved in the drift net fishery. In 1985 nearly 600 people were directly involved either as licensed fishermen or by 492W having their names entered on licences as servants or agents. This fishery is critical to the continued existence of the inshore fishing industry in the area. A number of other people in the area are involved in ancillary induitles including fish marketing and boat building. There is also additional employment created outside the fishing industry by the existence of these jobs. Specific numbers are not available. but they will add significantly to the numbers directly involved.