§ Mr. KennedyTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he can now give any information as to the results of research carried out by his Department's marine laboratory concerning the incidence of plankton blooms on the west coast and their effect upon fish farming operations; what steps he proposes to take in response to their conclusions; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythFindings of the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland's marine laboratory analysis of algal blooms which occurred this year are to be published next year. I will send a copy to the hon. Member in due course.
Longer-term research by the marine laboratory into the causes and spread of algal bloom in waters of the west coast of Scotland and in Shetland will take several years to complete.