§ 62. Mr. WallTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he last met representatives of the National Federation of Fishermen's Organisations; and which subjects were discussed.
§ Mr. Donald ThompsonMy right hon. Friend the Minister met representatives of the National Federation of Fishermen's Organisations at their annual general meeting on 7 May 1988. A number of issues of importance to the United Kingdom fishing industry were discussed including TACs, licensing systems including under 10 m vessels; part-time fishermen; fishing vessel registration; technical conservation measures and mesh sizes including minimum landing sizes for nephrops; North sea plaice; Channel cod; water authority privatisation; pollution and dumping; the Grimsby National Dock Labour Board scheme; the bass fishery; loans; safety; light dues and the ban on the carriage of monofilament nets. Members of the NFFO also attended a conference in North Shields on 5 October on the North sea fishing industry at which I discussed the Government's fisheries policy and pollution.