§ Mr. David Clarkasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will discuss with the Belgian authorities the action of Belgian beam trawlers fishing within the six miles limit off the South of England coast.
§ Mr. Anthony StodartIn view of recent complaints by South Coast fishermen considerable attention has been paid to the Channel by the Fishery Protection Squadron this year, but no Belgian beam trawlers have been found to be fishing inside our six-mile limit.
§ Mr. David Clarkasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many of the EEC member countries do not allow inshore beam trawling.
§ Mr. Anthony StodartTo the best of our knowledge France is the only EEC country that has banned inshore beam trawling. I will, however, confirm this with other member nations and I will write to the hon. Member as soon as I can.