§ Mr. Hooleyasked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what studies are being made of new types of vessel required to police exclusive fishing limits of (a) 50 miles and (b) 200 miles in United Kingdom waters;
(2) what calculation has been made of the number and type of vessels which will be required to enforce fisheries regulations and international conventions, resource management measures, closed 367W areas and periods, mesh, gear, variety and minimum size restrictions, within (a) a 200 mile exclusive economic zone and (b) a 50 mile exclusive fishing limit.
§ Mr. DuffyTo prepare for the extension of fishing limits and for the possible introduction of a 200-mile exclusive economic zone we are planning to provide five new Royal Navy ships of the Island class and four RAF Nimrod surveillance aircraft. The first of the Island class ships has already been commissioned and the remainder will enter service during 1977; the RAF aircraft will he allocated on 1st January 1977. Other resources of the Armed Forces will be made available as required.
§ Mr. Hooleyasked the Secretary of State for Defence how many fisheries protection vessels are currently in service.
§ Mr. DuffyAt present the Fishery Protection Squadron has 11 ships; in addition HMS Jura, although primarily employed on the protection of oil and gas installations, also carries out fishery protection tasks. Other ships and aircraft can be called up at short notice to assist if the need should arise. The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland has five fishery protection vessels in service.