§ Mr. SwayneTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the effect of his decision to cut fisheries grant aid on inbound fisheries with particular reference to(a) salmon in the Test and Itchen and (b) sea trout in rivers in the south. [94897]
§ Mr. MorleyThe planned reduction in grant-in-aid to the Environment Agency to fund its work on salmon and freshwater fisheries in England will come into effect in 2001–02. It will be for the Environment Agency to determine its spending priorities for that year in the light of the fall in grant-in-aid. Until it has done this it is not possible to assess the impact of the reduction on individual rivers.
§ Mr. SwayneTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will review his decision to cut fisheries grant aid; and if he will make a statement. [94896]
§ Mr. MorleyThe planned reduction in grant-in-aid to the Environment Agency to fund its work on salmon and freshwater fisheries in England is one of a number of economies made to keep MAFF's expenditure within the limits set by the Comprehensive Spending Review. The reduction will come into effect in 2001–02, and will be reviewed as part of the forthcoming review of Government spending that will determine expenditure plans for the period starting in 2002–03.