§ Q2. Mr. McQuarrieasked the Prime Minister if she will pay an official visit to King Edward in the East Aberdeenshire constituency.
§ The Prime MinisterI have at present no plans to do so.
§ Mr. McQuarrieI regret that my right hon. Friend is unable to visit King Edward in my constituency. She would have been most welcome. However, she will be aware that a much more serious problem is affecting my constituency and others. I refer to the decision yesterday taken by the European Commission on herring quotas. I do not wish to pre-empt the statement that will be made later this afternoon. However, is my right hon. Friend able to give the House an assurance that the herring stocks in British waters will be fully protected at all times, in the interests of the British herring fisheries industry?
§ The Prime MinisterI agree with my hon. Friend about the need for adequate protection of herring stocks. I understand that arrangements have been made for reports on herring catches. I understand that the arrangements involve making full reports twice weekly. The United Kingdom fisheries protection services will increase their surveillance of herring fisheries. We intend to close the fisheries when a scientifically recommended total allowable catch has been taken.