HC Deb 14 January 1991 vol 183 cc419-21W
Mr. David Porter

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what sanction he expects to enforce against those Scottish fishermen who exceeded their quota in any species during 1990.

Mr. Michael Forsyth

As part of the normal arrangements for distributing internally the United Kingdom's quotas it has been agreed with the United Kingdom industry that those groups disadvantaged as a result of any other group exceeding its quota in one year will be compensated in the subsequent year with correspondingly increased quotas. These arrangements will apply to all groups which are disadvantaged irrespective of where they are based in the United Kingdom. If an individual fisherman exceeds his monthly quota then, in cases where the quota in question is managed by Fisheries Departments, a report would be made to the procurator fiscal with a view to prosecution in the courts; if the quota is managed by a producer organisation, the fisherman is subject to the discipline procedures of the organisation.

Mrs. Margaret Ewing

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland on how many occasions he has exercised his powers under section 1(8) of the Freshwater and Salmon Fisheries (Scotland) Act 1976; and how, following the making of a protection order, he monitors its operation to ensure the improvement of, or the giving or availability of access of, fishings under a protection order in comparison with the proposals submitted to him in terms of section 1(3)(a) of the Freshwater and Salmon Fisheries (Scotland) Act 1976.

Mr. Michael Forsyth

My right hon. Friend has no powers under section 1(8) of the 1976 Act. Responsibility for all public prosecution in Scotland rests with the Lord Advocate.

Proposers of protection orders are encouraged to set up liaison committees. Regular reports on the operation of the protection orders are sought from each liaison committee. In addition, my right hon. Friend takes into account the views of the Consultative Committee on Freshwater Fisheries and complaints or other comments by angling clubs, associations and members of the public.

Mr. David Porter

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on his policy of monitoring fish landings at Scottish ports and inquiring into allegations of misreporting concerning Scottish fishing vessels during 1990.

Mr. Michael Forsyth

Landings at each of 20 major fishing ports in Scotland are monitored daily by staff of the Scottish Office Agriculture and Fisheries Department. Landings at other ports are monitored periodically. Confirmation of reported areas of fishing activity is sought by comparing log book entries with surveillance data provided by fishery protection vessels and aircraft. All suspected cases of misreporting are investigated thoroughly and where sufficient evidence is available, cases are submitted to the prosecuting authorities.

Mrs. Margaret Ewing

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list for each year since inception all those protection orders made under the provisions of the Freshwater and Salmon Fisheries (Scotland) Act 1976; and the body which the Secretary of State has consulted under section 1(3)(b) of the Freshwater and Salmon Fisheries (Scotland) Act 1976 in the case of each such protection order made.

Mr. Michael Forsyth

The information is as follows1976–79: None. 1980: The Rivers Tweed and Eye Protection Order 1980 (renewed in 1983, 1986 and 1988). 1981: None. 1982: The Upper Spey and Associated Waters Protection Order 1982 (renewed in 1985 and 1988). 1983: The River Tummel Catchment Area Protection Order 1983 (renewed in 1986 and 1988). The River Lunan Catchment Area Protection Order 1983 (renewed in 1986 and 1988). 1984 and 1985: None. 1986: The River Tay Catchment Area Protection Order 1986 (renewed in 1990). 1988: The West Strathclyde Protection Order 1988. 1989: None. 1990: The River Earn Catchment Area Protection Order 1990. The River Don Catchment Area (Part) Protection Order 1990.

My right hon. Friend has appointed a Consultative Committee on Freshwater Fisheries which is consulted under section 1(3)(b) of the 1976 Act on proposals for, and other matters relating to, protection orders.

Mrs. Margaret Ewing

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will review the question of access to salmon fishings in Scotland; and whether he will include a comparative study of access to fishing in Scotland with other countries such as the Republic of Ireland and France with respect to European Community law.

Mr. Michael Forsyth

The Government have no plans to review the question of access to salmon fishings in Scotland.

Mrs. Margaret Ewing

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list all those protection orders which have been varied or revoked by the Secretary of State under section 1(10) of the Freshwater and Salmon Fisheries (Scotland) Act 1976.

Mr. Michael Forsyth

None.

Mrs. Margaret Ewing

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will identify the destination of all payments made by the Secretary of State under section 5 of the Freshwater and Salmon Fisheries (Scotland) Act 1976.

Mr. Michael Forsyth

No such payments have been made.