To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects to publish the report on east coast fisheries prepared under the Salmon Act 1986; and whether the original report which he receives will be published without alteration.

Section 39 of the Salmon Act 1986 requires the presentation of a review to Parliament on the salmon net fisheries off the north-east coast of England and the east coast of Scotland. Scientists at the Scottish Office and from this Department have completed a substantial background paper which is now being considered.A report will be presented to Parliament as soon as possible.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the significance of the north-east coast salmon fishery as a component of the fishing industry of that area, and of the effect on the industry which would result from a ban on that fishery.

The majority of fishermen operating off the north-east coast of England fish for a variety of different species. For those fishermen who fish for salmon it can represent a significant part of their annual income. However, the mixed species nature of the fishery means that it is difficult to quantify the effect that banning salmon fishing would have on the industry.