§ Mr. Nicholas BennettTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations have been received by his656W Department concerning the granting of fish farm licences by the Welsh water authority to companies established by the authority; what steps have been taken to ensure that the authority will act in an impartial manner in both its planning and regulatory functions in relation to its subsidiaries; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerI have received correspondence from the owners of one commercial fish farm on the subject of abstraction licences.
The Welsh water authority is a body corporate and the exercise of its planning function is a matter for the authority. Applications for licences to abstract water and consent to discharge effluent which are required by the authority for its own operations would be called in for my determination. There are also rights of appeal to me against the terms of licences and consents which the authority proposes to issue to third parties.
§ Mr. Nicholas BennettTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will investigate the circumstances in which the Welsh water authority granted a section 30 consent under the Freshwater and Salmon Fisheries Act on 23 June to Acquanorse pic to place cages in the Llysyfran reservoir; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerThe statutory responsibilities for consents issued under section 30 of the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act rests with the Welsh water authority. I have no locus in the matter.