§ Mr. Graham Pageasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he intends to extend the time for replacement of fishing nets not complying with the Fishing Nets (North-East Atlantic) Order 1976, having regard to the statement in the 32nd Report of the Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments (HC 54-xvii) of last Session that to allow only two months for replacement was an unusual action on the part of his Department.
§ Mr. BishopNo. In our view there has been adequate notice for the fishing industry. The industry was fully consul ted on the mesh of nets proposals before their adoption by the North-East Atlantic Fisheries Commission in November 1975 and was informed in December 1975 of the Government's intention to give effect to the agreed recommendation. The order came into effect on 1st October 1976, three months later than recommended by the Commission. Relaxation of the order would breach the 581W international obligation we have undertaken to regulate the small mesh net fisheries for the protection of immature fish stocks.