§ Lord BALFOUR of INCHRYEMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether one of Her Majesty's Fishery Protection vessels recently investigated Irish fishing boats off the West Irish Coast and, in accordance with NEAFC regulations, boarded them and confirmed the breaking of the NEAFC agreement; and if so, what representations Her Majesty's Government have made or propose to make to the Irish Government.
2§ Lord STRABOLGIMy Lords, Her Majesty's fishery protection vessels have no powers to board Irish fishing boats outside United Kingdom fishery limits. Although the North East Atlantic Fisheries Commission has introduced a joint enforcement scheme enabling accredited inspectors to board and inspect the fishing boats of other member States within the NEAFC Convention area, the Irish Republic does not yet participate in the scheme. Nevertheless, last June Her Majesty's Government informed the Irish authorities of a case in which Irish fishing vessels had been observed apparently fishing in contravention of a NEAFC recommendation.
§ Lord BALFOUR of INCHRYEMy Lords, arising out of that reply, am I to understand from the Minister that the facts which I put in my Question are entirely wrong? They are based upon a widespread story which is believed in many quarters, and I can give the noble Lord the substance of what was reported to me. In any event are Her Majesty's Government at one with the Irish Government in trying to enforce the agreement which has been reached?
§ Lord STRABOLGIMy Lords, the answer to the first part of the noble Lord's supplementary question is that my information is that the Irish ships were not boarded. Six ships were observed off the West coast, not far from Tory Island, bearing Dublin and Sligo marks. They were outside the territorial limits but within the Convention area. However, they were not 3 boarded because the Republic of Ireland is not a member of the Scheme. Nevertheless, the matter was taken up with the Irish authorities who have expressed concern; and, of course, as they are members of the Commission itself they have agreed that fishing for salmon outside territorial waters should be prohibited. This enables them to supervise their own national ships.
§ Lord BALFOUR of INCHRYEMy Lords, may I thank the Minister for his supplementary reply, which has shed a great deal more light upon the picture than his original reply gave us.
§ Lord HAILSHAM of SAINT MARYLEBONEMy Lords, will the noble Lord make friendly representations to the Irish Government to join in a reciprocal enforcement scheme of this kind, which is in the interests of both the environment and the preservation of fish for the world?
§ Lord STRABOLGIYes, my Lords, most certainly. We have done that already. May I say in answer to the noble and learned Lord that the Irish Government are very well aware that lack of enforcement affects not only our fishing stocks but theirs as well. I need hardly point out to a former Lord Chancellor that this requires legislation. At the moment, the Irish Government are considering introducing this in their own Parliament, and we hope that it will be soon.