§ Mr. McNamaraasked the Minister for Trade (1) how many Spanish-owned fishing boats are registered in the United Kingdom;
(2) how often and with what results Spanish-owned fishing boats registered in the United Kingdom are examined by Department of Trade inspectors and port medical officers;
(3) whether he is satisified with the food, accommodation and health facilities upon Spanish-owned trawlers registered in the United Kingdom;
(4) how often inspectors of his Department have examined, for safety, the conditions upon Spanish-owned fishing vessels registered in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. Sproat[pursuant to his reply, 19 July 1982, c. 12]: I understand that about 60 fishing boats previously registered in Spain have been re-registered in the United Kingdom. In order to be eligible for British registration, a ship must be wholly owned either by a British subject or by a company having its principal place of business in the British islands. All fishing boats on the British register are subject to the same regulations regarding safety, manning and health. I can assure the hon. Member that careful attention is being paid to the question of eligibility for registration, as well as surveys and inspections of fishing boats.