§ 25. Mr. MacdonaldTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what further measures he proposes to take to assist the Scottish salmon farming industry.
§ Sir Hector MonroThe minimum import price for Atlantic salmon introduced by the European Commission with effect from 20 November provides a temporary floor to the EC market. I hope that the industry will respond quickly to the Commission's invitation to update the information it submitted in 1991 in support of allegations of dumping on to the EC market by Norwegian exporters, so as to allow a further investigation to proceed. In addition, Scottish Office officials have met the Commission Services about the introduction from 1 January 1994 of a reference price for salmon to provide a basis for any future safeguard action, as well as discussing with the industry the possible establishment of producer organisations and other measures to reduce cyclical fluctuations and market imbalance for salmon.
§ 34. Mr. KynochTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the number of rod-caught Salmon on Scottish east coast rivers in the last recorded year and five years ago.
§ Sir Hector MonroMy Department's catch statistics show that 64,124 salmon and grisle were caught by rod and line on Scottish east coast rivers in 1992 as compared with 69,439 in 1988.