§ Mr. Randallasked the Secretary of State for Transport what change there has been in the number of vessels lost below 12 m in length during the periods 1975 to 1980 and 1981 to 1985.
§ Mr. Michael SpicerThe number of fishing vessels less than 12 m in length recorded in the Department's annual publication "Casualties to Vessels and Accidents to Men" as lost in the periods 1978–80 and 1981–85 are 40 and 102 respectively. (Until 1978 records list these casualties in terms of gross tonnage and not length and a ship of 20 gross tons has been taken to approximate to one of 12 m). During this period the number of ships at risk has increased by about 40 per cent.