§ Mr. Randallasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he intends to submit a programme to the EEC Commission in order to seek to attract funds for the development of fishing resources of the Falkland Islands; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RaisonI have been asked to reply.
492WI have no plans to do so. The choice of projects to be financed from European Community aid funds is primarily a matter for the Falkland Islands Government and the European Commission. Some assistance from the fourth European development fund has been given to assess the feasibility of salmon ranching.
In the common fisheries policy there is provision for assistance from Community and national funds for exploratory voyages by Community fishing vessels in certain circumstances. Were the Government to receive an application for such assistance for a voyage to the Falkland Islands from a British vessel owner, my right hon. Friend the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food would give it sympathetic consideration with a view to seeking the necessary Commission approval.