HC Deb 15 March 1972 vol 833 cc138-9W
Mr. McNamara

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what arrangements have been made for the daily roll call of trawlers off Iceland following the withdrawal of the support ship "Miranda";

(2) what arrangements are being made for the supply of local meteorological information to the fishing fleet off Iceland following the withdrawal of the support ship "Miranda".

Mr. Anthony Grant

Arrangements have been made with J. Mar & Sons for one of their trawlers to carry out a twice daily roll call on behalf of Her Majesty's Coastguard. The trawler will also broadcast twice daily forecasts for the waters off Iceland supplied by the Meteorological Office at Bracknell and any special gale warnings.

Mr. McNamara

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what arrangements have been made for the provision of medical assistance to the fishing fleet off Iceland following the withdrawal of the support shop "Miranda";

(2) what arrangements have been made for the provision of technical assistance to vessels of the fishing fleet off Iceland following the withdrawal of the support ship "Miranda";

(3) what arrangements have been made for a vessel to take over fully the duties of the support ship "Miranda" while she is absent from the Icelandic fishing grounds;

(4) when it is expected that the support ship "Miranda" will return to her station off Iceland to give assistance to the fishing fleet; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Anthony Grant

The replacement of the fractured crankshaft of the trawler support ship "Miranda" is being undertaken as rapidly as possible but the vessel will not be ready to return to Iceland this season. Meanwhile, arrangements have been made for the daily round up and weather forecasts to be provided. I am also discussing with my right hon. Friends the Secretary of State for Defence and the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether, on balance, it would be to the advantage of the fishing industry to switch any of the naval resources available for fishery protection in other waters so as to provide some medical and technical assistance to the trawlers off Iceland.

Mr. James Johnson

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action he is taking to replace the mother ship "Miranda" regarding her duties in Icelandic waters while that vessel is undergoing repairs in Leith; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Anthony Grant

The trawler "Criscilla" will be carrying out a twice daily roll call on behalf of Her Majesty's Coastguard and will also broadcast weather forecasts and any special gale warnings to the trawlers off Iceland.

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