Written question asked by Ian Blackford (Scottish National Party) on Thursday, 7 January 2016, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 11 January 2016. It was answered by Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton (Conservative) on Thursday, 14 January 2016 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Fisheries: Hebrides

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, further to his letter referenced MSU/4/5/8 which is placed in the Library, whether and to what timescale his Department plans to commission its own socio-economic report in addition to the economic impact assessment commissioned by the fishing community; if he will publish results of such a report; and what the implications of such work are for the timescales for determining the proposed byelaw changes for the inner sound between Raasay and the mainland.

Answer: Work is currently being undertaken by the Ministry of Defence (MOD) to produce a Socio-Economic Report for the Raasay Ranges. This is in addition to the assessment commissioned by the local fishing community. The MOD Report will be completed and made available in advance of the outcome of the Raasay Byelaw Review which is due to be finished later this year.

Secondary information