§ Mr. OnslowTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the reasons for the delay in completion by his scientists of their analysis of the data which have been collected for the review of the north-east drift net fishery.
§ Mr. MacleanI refer my right hon. Friend to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Tynemouth (Mr. Trotter) by my hon. Friend the Minister of State, Scottish Office on 18 June,Official Report, column 454. Scientists from both the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland and my Department have had a great deal of data to collate and analyse on salmon fishing in the areas of England and Scotland covered by this review. The Salmon Act 1986 requires Ministers to report to Parliament as soon as practicable after November of last year. We shall do so.