Mr. John D. TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the effect the weather in 1990 has had on(a) the state of the fishing industry in Portavogie, (b) employment in the Portavogie fishing industry and (c) the tonnage of fish landed at Portavogie harbour; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter Bottomley[holding answer 14 February 1990]: The weather so far experienced in 1990 has restricted the fishing effort and earnings of vessels based at Portavogie. For the period 1 January to 7 February landings of fish at Portavogie are estimated at 257 tonnes compared with 448 tonnes in the equivalent period last year. The impact on employment has been felt mainly within the catching sector but local self-employed small-scale processors and salesmen have also been affected.