§ Mr. Teddy Taylorasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received from the general public and from Scottish tourist organisations over the past 12 months about the reduction in the availability of salmon in Scottish rivers.
§ Mr. John MacKaySeveral representations have been received over the past 12 months from individual members of the public and a variety of organisations, including the Scottish Tourist Board.
§ Mr. Teddy Taylorasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what statistical information is available on the number of foreign and English visitors who come to Scotland to engage in salmon fishing each year.
§ Mr. John MacKayThe information requested is not available.
§ Mr. Teddy Taylorasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what statistical and other information is available to him regarding the financial and employment benefits which accrue to the economy in consequence of salmon rod fishing in Scottish rivers; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John MackayThe most recent study on behalf of the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland was carried out by the tourism and recreation research unit 213W of Edinburgh University and was completed in 1984. The researchers suggested that expenditure by salmon anglers in Scotland was in the range £22 million to £46 million per annum.
A copy of the report has been placed in the Library.
§ Mr. Teddy Taylorasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the best statistical information available regarding the number of salmon caught by rod fishermen in Scottish rivers in the most recent year for which figures are available; and what were the comparable totals in each of the previous five years.
§ Mr. John MacKayThe reported catches of salmon, grilse and sea trout by rod and line in Scottish rivers for each of the years in question are given in the table:
Salmon Grisle Sea-Trout Total 1980 59,337 11,167 39,716 110,220 1981 51,006 12,287 45,736 109,029 1982 47,915 16,839 33,695 98,449 1983 51,961 14,109 40,159 106,229 1984 43,130 15,543 42,141 100,814 1985* 58,323 17,614 50,831 126,768 * Provisional.