§ Sir Cranley OnslowTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many applications to shoot cormorants or goosanders in order to protect fish stocks in Welsh rivers were received by his Department in each of the past three years for which figures are available; and how many such licences were issued. [34929]
§ Mr. Gwilym JonesThe information requested is as follows:
Applications received Licences issued 1992 2 0 1993 13 0 1994 16 9 1 This figure includes 1 composite application on behalf of 23 Fishery Owners.
§ Sir Cranley OnslowTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what steps his Department has taken to study the impact of river barrages on anadromous fish, with particular reference to experience in France. [34930]
§ Mr. JonesThe Welsh Office is not carrying out any research into the impact of river barrages on anadromous fish as a direct result of the experience of such barrages in France. However, research into the problems associated with the passage of salmonids past estuarine barrages is currently being carried out by the directorate of fisheries research on behalf of the Welsh office and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. The work forms part of a collaborative research programme with the National Rivers Authority, which is also studying the effect on fish migration of barrage construction at Swansea and Cardiff bay.