§ Mr. McAllionTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what conclusions he has reached on the Tay River Protection Order; and if he will make a statement. [64791]
§ Mr. MacdonaldOn 5 June the Government announced in the Edinburgh Gazette its intention to revoke the Tay Protection Order made under the Freshwater and Salmon Fisheries (Scotland) Act 1976 and invited comments. This followed concerns that access for public angling had been withdrawn in a number of areas.
Seven hundred and seventy-four responses were received. 766 supported retention of the Order. Eight advocated revocation. A full report on the operation of the Order has since been submitted on behalf of the new Protection Order Liaison Committee. A copy of that report, which has been endorsed by 18 groups associated with angling and riparian ownership in the area, will be placed in the Library.
My noble Friend Lord Sewel, the Minister with responsibility for Fisheries in Scotland, has considered the comments received and the contents of the report very carefully. He has noted with satisfaction that as a result of the efforts of the Committee the access lost has been reinstated and furthermore that 86 per cent. of the river and loch are now open to public access compared with the 81 per cent. promised at the time the Order was originally approved. My noble Friend also welcomes the steps announced to ensure the effectiveness of the future operation and monitoring of the Order.
In the light of the remedial action taken to improve and guarantee public access to angling and the generally enhanced arrangements for its operation, my noble Friend has decided that the Order should be retained. However, close monitoring will continue.