HC Deb 20 March 1973 vol 853 cc224-5
15. Mr. Milne

asked the Minister of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the operation of the fishery protection vessels on the Northumberland coast following the decision taken on joining the EEC for a six-mile limit in the area from Coquet Island to Berwick and 12 miles in the rest of the Northumberland coastline.

The Under-Secretary of State for Defence for the Royal Navy (Mr. Antony Buck)

Two ships of the Fishery Protection Squadron, assisted by Service aircraft, have been regularly patrolling the Northumberland coast during the recent sprat season. No foreign infringements were reported or detected.

Mr. Milne

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that this underlines the necessity for reviewing the six-mile limit in the area of Northumberland specified in the Question? Does he agree that there is no necessity for an arbitrary arrangement which gives a six-mile limit to one part of the country's coastline and 12 miles to the other part? Will he urge his right hon. Friend who is responsible for this decision to review it as quickly as possible?

Mr. Buck

I shall pass on what the hon. Gentleman has said to my right hon. Friend. Regarding the existing situation, I was patrolling for a couple of days off the Northumberland coast in HMS "Brinton". It seems at present that Navy support is sufficient to deal with the regulations which exist.