HC Deb 20 January 1972 vol 829 cc651-2
18. Mr. Wall

asked the Minister of State for Defence what action is being taken to improve the fisheries protection afforded by the Royal Navy.

Mr. Kirk

During the course of this year we shall be increasing by one-third the number of minesweepers employed on fishery protection duties round the coasts of the United Kingdom. We are also acquiring the fast patrol boat "Tenacity" to augment these more conventional forces.

It is further intended to make greater use of available Royal Navy and Royal Air Force helicopters to augment fishery protection patrols which are carried out by our ships.

As a result there will be an increase of some 50 per cent. in the effort currently deployed by the Services on coastal fishery protection.

Mr. Wall

I welcome my hon. Friend's Statement, but will he discuss with his right hon. Friend the possibility of setting up a form of coastguard service equipped with fast patrol boats and helicopters, which would not only protect our limits but also act as protection against pollution and as an air-sea rescue service?

Mr. Kirk

Those are somewhat wider matters, but I will certainly look into them.

Mr. Ronald King Murray

Will the Minister ensure that new fishery protection vessels which are commissioned have a life of well over 10 years, so that our attempts to protect our vital fishery interests after 1982 will appear credible?

Mr. Kirk

All Royal Naval ships have a potential life of 20 years.