§ Mr. McQuarrieasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many vessels and aircraft are specifically and permanently assigned to fisheries protection and surveillance duties in the United Kingdom waters; and to what extent these could be supplemented immediately, but temporarily, by other vessels and aircraft if the need should arise.
§ Mr. Buchanan-SmithFive Royal Navy Island class vessels and three vessels operated by the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland are deployed on fisheries protection duties in offshore waters. They are supported by RAF Nimrod aircraft, which fly approximately 180 hours a month on surveillance duties.
190WEight to 10 Royal Navy Ton class vessels and a further three vessels operated by the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland are deployed in coastal waters.
Other Royal Navy vessels, helicopters and Sea Devon aircraft are available to assist the protection force when required.