§ Mr. David HowellTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received concerning changes to the protective close season for coarse fishing; and if he will make a further statement.
§ Mr. JackWe have received some 250 objections, from angling bodies, conservation organisations and individuals, to various aspects of the National Rivers Authority's proposals for the introduction of uniform arrangements in England and Wales for a close season for coarse fish. These included objections to both the proposed abolition of the close season on those stillwaters which are at present subject to such restrictions and to the proposed imposition of a close season on waters where currently no such rules apply. The NRA has now submitted its proposals for confirmation. In deciding whether to confirm the proposals, we will take into account both the NRA's case for proposing these changes and the objections to them that we have received.