§ Mr. BeithTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what involvement his Department had in the alterations to the cauld in the River Tweed at Melrose and of work being carried out on the river bed in the vicinity of Horncliffe; and whether he has made any assessment of the likely effect of these works, and of steps which may be taken to reinstate the river bed at these points, on salmon and sea trout fisheries.
§ Mr. LangI am not aware of any involvement or request for advice or assessment on the part of the Department in relation to these matters.
For salmon and sea trout fisheries, the River Tweed commissioners have powers under section 57 of the Tweed 315W Fisheries Act 1857, to compel removal of obstructions to the free run of salmon and sea trout. It would be for the commissioners themselves, in the first instance, to decide whether or not the use of these powers might be appropriate in particular instances.