§ Mr. Hoodasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of the impact on the Scottish fishing industry of freezer trawler operations.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythTwo freezer trawlers, based at ports in England, currently operate in the main herring and mackerel fisheries; the granting of licences for three further freezer trawlers (two based in England, one in Scotland) was announced in January, but these additional licences are unlikely to be utilised until 1988. As my right hon. Friend the Minister of State for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food recently pointed out, freezer trawlers have a part to play in ensuring that this country can fully fish its quotas. The existing freezer trawlers have not had any appreciable impact on the 45 purse seine vessels which make up the main component of the Scottish-based pelagic fleet but this is something which I am keeping under close review.