§ Mr. Austin Mitchellasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many fishing vessels have been permanently laid up (a) from 1 January to the start of the temporary aid scheme and (b) from that date to the present ; and what size the British fishing fleet will be by 1 January 1981 if present trends are projected forward.
§ Mr. Buchanan-Smith: It is not possible to provide figures in the form requested. I have received no reports of significant numbers of inshore vessels being laid up. However, the number of vessels over 80 ft. in length fishing out of Aberdeen, Fleetwood, Grimsby, Hull and Lowestoft fell by 24 between 1 January and 13 March ; and by 29 between 13 March and 31 May. It cannot be assumed that all the vessels now out of commission have been permanently laid up, and it would therefore be misleading to use this information to project trends in the industry to the end of this year.