§ 34. Mr. SalmondTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of prospects for the fishing industry in 1990; and if he will make a statement.
§ 46. Mr. Andrew WelshTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the prospects for the fishing industry in 1990; and if he will make a statement.
§ 51. Mrs. Margaret EwingTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the prospects for the fishing industry in 1990; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. CurryThe value of landings increased by 44 per cent. between 1983 and 1988 against a generally stable volume of catches, but opportunities in 1990 will be less. However, while in the interests of conservation 20 quotas are lower than in 1989, including substantial cuts for North sea cod and haddock, 17 others remain stable and 12 quotas have increased.
Where quotas have been reduced, that has been in order to conserve stocks and safeguard the long-term future of the fishing industry. The extent to which earnings are affected will depend upon the market response to the lower landings.
§ Mr. ColvinTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will take steps to devolve central control of the inshore fishing industry of England and Wales to a regional fisheries management organisation which would co-ordinate the work of his Ministry's fisheries inspectorate and provide the contract and administrative body for the sea fisheries committee; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. GummerI have no plans to create such a regional fisheries management body, but I am looking at alternative quota management measures.