§ Mr. Hendersonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what size of fishing protection fleet would be required to police territorial waters of (a) 50 miles, (b) 100 miles and (c) 200 miles, respectively.
§ Mr. Hugh D. BrownThe size of the force when complete by the end of 1977, that is to say six DAFS vessels, 16 MOD vessels and four aircraft, was designed with the requirements of a 200-mile fisheries limit for the United Kingdom in mind. The question of assessing the force required for lesser limits, therefore, does not arise.
§ Mr. Hendersonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many additional fishing protection vessels have been ordered in anticipation of an increase in fishing limits.
§ Mr. Hugh D. BrownArrangements for the future protection of the offshore interests of the United Kingdom, described by my right hon. Friend the then Minister of State, Ministry of Defence in 765W a statement to this House on 11th February 1975, involved five additional vessels for the Royal Navy, which have been ordered, and the redeployment of four existing aircraft. No additional vessels under my control were envisaged, as two modern vessels had been added to the fleet with the likelihood of 200-mile fishing limits in mind.