HC Deb 07 May 1996 vol 277 cc12-3
13. Mrs. Gorman

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Royal Naval vessels are contracted to MAFF as part of the fisheries protection fleet. [26931]

Mr. Soames

Nine vessels currently comprise the fisheries protection squadron. Four or five are routinely at sea on behalf of MAFF and one for the Scottish Fishery Protection Agency at any one time.

Mrs. Gorman

Will my hon. Friend confirm what his office has told me today—that 17 vessels are contracted out to MAFF from the defence forces and that they are engaged in policing the quota of fish caught by our fishing vessels, including Mr. Trevor Mole from Essex, who has been fined unreasonably for taking a little more than his quota out of the seas? At the same time, the Spanish, who are busily scooping up our fish, have only nine vessels in action, but as a nation we can do nothing about the situation while we remain within the European Union. Is it not time we gave people a chance to decide whether they want to continue being part of the EU or not?

Mr. Soames

I think that that goes a little wide of the question. I am happy to confirm to my hon. Friend that all the fishing vessels operating in United Kingdom waters are liable to fair and rigorous inspection by the Royal Navy, regardless of their nationality. As my hon. Friend knows, because she has done a great deal of work on the matter, the role of the fisheries protection squadron is to enforce fisheries protection and to ensure that all vessels can go safely about their lawful business. The role of the squadron is one that it discharges with scrupulous fairness. I am sure that my hon. Friend will join me in paying tribute to it for doing what is often a difficult and dangerous job.

Dr. Godman

I sometimes think that the hon. Member for Billericay (Mrs. Gorman) would like to deploy the fleet against the European Union.

Mrs. Gorman

indicated assent.

Dr. Godman

The hon. Lady nods.

The officers and crews of the fisheries protection vessels do a good job in protecting our stocks. Does the Minister agree that they need the most modern ships possible to deal with those guilty of illegal fishing? What vessels does he intend to order to bring the fleet up to date?

Mr. Soames

As the hon. Gentleman is very knowledgeable about the fishing community, I know that he will join me in saying how much the fishermen value the efforts made on their behalf by the Royal Navy. They are truly fortunate to have such excellent protection. As the hon. Gentleman knows and I know, the squadron enjoys the most excellent relations with the fishing industry and fishermen alike. There are currently nine vessels in the squadron. Six are purpose-built Island class offshore patrol vessels, which do the job extremely well, and three are Hunt class mine counter-measures vessels seconded from their parent MCM squadron. We believe that they do the job very well indeed. If there are plans to change the deployment of any of the vessels, we shall, of course, talk to the hon. Gentleman about it. I know of no plans to replace any of them.