§ Mr. Andrew WelshTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what advice he has received from the fresh water fisheries laboratory at Pitlochry regarding extension of weekly close time for salmon net fishing; and what reference was made to conservation as a ground for that advice;
(2) what advice he has received from the marine laboratory in Torrie regarding the extension of weekly close time for salmon net fishing; and what reference was made to conservation as a ground for that advice.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythThe scientific evidence is not conclusive in this matter and was only one of a number of considerations taken into account by Ministers before reaching a decision to increase the close time.