§ Mr. Peter AinsworthTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the future of river bailiffs. [48325]
§ Margaret Beckett[holding answer 10 April 2002]: The Environment Agency has advised that it will continue to employ officers with the powers of water bailiffs to meet its statutory duty under the Environment Act 1995 to help maintain, develop and improve salmon, trout and freshwater and eel fisheries.