§ 73. Mr. GalbraithTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is in a position to give the approximate date at which an increase could be considered to the total allowable catch for the current year of Clyde herring.
§ Mr. GummerAs I explained to the House during the debate on 9 December last, the reduction in the total allowable catch (TAC) for Clyde herring for 1988 is based on firm scientific advice from the advisory committee on fisheries management of the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea. This committee is due to hold its next meeting to review the state of stocks from 16–26 May. I have, however, no reason to believe that the report of this meeting will provide any basis for increasing the current year's TAC for Clyde herring, which would of course be a decision for the Council of Fisheries Ministers of the European Community.