§ Mr. KennedyTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Ross, Cromarty and Skye of 21 March,Official Report, column 647, when he expects to be able to reply to the specific questions raised with him by the Federation of Highlands and Islands Fishermen in their original letter of 3 May 1989 with regard to the grounds on which the claim for compensation by the Ullapool Boat Owners Association has been classed as an application for operating aid and as to why the claim for compensation conflicts with community law; and when he expects to be able to supply the documents requested by the federation in their letter of 3 May 1989.
§ Mr. Lang[holding answer 2 April 1990]: Any assistance provided to industry to compensate for changes in circumstances is regarded by the European Commission as an operating aid. This ruling derives from the Commission's interpretation of sections 92 and 93 of the treaty of Rome. The Commission has made it clear that any derogation by them in favour of such an aid would only be given where the aid had a structural purpose. This would not apply in the case submitted by the Ullapool Boat Owners Association. A formal reply was sent to the Federation of Highlands and Islands Fishermen on 13 March 1990.