§ Mr. William RossTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland by what means his view on the total allowable catch of each species of fish taken in the areas of sea fished by Northern Ireland sea fishermen is put forward at meetings of the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea.
§ Mr. Peter Bottomley[holding answer 23 March 1990]: The International Council for the Exploration of the Sea deals with scientific stock assessments which form the basis of advice to the EC Commission, which then formulates proposals for total allowable catches (TACs) to the EC Council of Ministers. The setting of TACs takes place outside the ICES forum.
§ Mr. William RossTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he will carry out a cost benefit analysis on options for placing(a) the new scientific staff for the research vessel Lough Foyle and (b) the new scientific staff for the research vessel Lough Foyle plus the freshwater biological units staff in Coleraine with the existing fisheries research laboratory staff in (i) the existing fisheries laboratory building with necessary alterations and (ii) in the existing fisheries laboratory building and the existing drainage division building in Coleraine with any necessary additions for extensions of the latter building.
§ Mr. Peter Bottomley[holding answer 23 March 1990]: Practical options for the establishment of a unified aquatic sciences research division on a single site were subject to investment appraisal before a decision was reached to relocate staff from Coleraine-Antrim to Belfast.
The option of a unified division at the fisheries research laboratory at Coleraine was included in the investment appraisal, except that the incorporation of the drainage division office at Coleraine was not considered a viable option in terms of department planning.
Results of the appraisal showed that over a 25-year period, relocation of staff from Coleraine and Antrim to Belfast, and the location of the scientific staff from the research vessel on the same site would have the lowest discounted net cost compared with other options. This decision is now being put into effect. Further cost-benefit analyses are not contemplated.