REGULATION OF MORECAMBE BAY COCKLE BEDS

Early day motion 582, tabled 9 February 2004 by Geraldine Smith (Labour). Signed by 77 members.

That this House is saddened by the tragic death of 19 young men and women in Morecambe Bay; appreciates the magnificent efforts of the police and rescue services; notes the dangers of Morecambe Bay to inexperienced fishermen and women; further notes that the bay is a public fishery; and calls on the Government to bring forward legislation to regulate commercial cockling on Morecambe Bay and other coastal areas and to give urgent consideration to closing the Morecambe Bay cockle beds from dusk until dawn.

Signatures by party: Labour 63, Liberal Democrat 4, DUP 3, Labour/Co-operative 3, Conservative 2, Plaid Cymru 2.