§ Mr. Wallasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action he is proposing to take to prevent the disappearance of the British distant water fishing fleet.
§ Mr. Buchanan-SmithAs my hon. Friend knows, we are in close consultation with all sections of the fishing industry about the case they have made for new measures to help them meet the problems they face.
§ Mr. Wallasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the estimated number of British distant water fishing vessels that can fish outside the 200-mile exclusive economic zone under agreement with third countries such as Norway, Iceland and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and the Faroes, all traditional British fishing grounds.
§ Mr. Buchanan-SmithDuring 1979 British distant water vessels were able to fish in third country waters as follows:
men. In addition, my Department has advised the Mudeford and District Fishermen's Association of the name and address of the "Aeolian Sky's" owners, which are understood to be the Proteus Maritime Company, c/o Ocean Freighters, 153 Kolokotroni Street, Piraeus, Greece.
§ Mr. Adleyasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what arrangements his Department has made, in respect of the fishermen of Mudeford and elsewhere, for obtaining compensation for damage to their gear, or pollution of their catches, caused by canisters from the "Aeolian Sky"; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Buchanan-SmithIt is the responsibility of fishermen themselves and not of my Department to claim compensation from the vessel owners in such cases. 857W However, my district inspectors of fisheries are always willing to give informal advice to fishermen on the procedures to be followed in pursuing claims.