§ Mr. Menzies CampbellTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what information he has on the grant of European Community or national funds for the marketing and processing of fisheries and aquaculture produce and the improvement of facilities at fishing ports under EC regulation 4028/86; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Michael Forsyth[holding answer 18 January 1991]: Support for the processing and marketing of fisheries and aquaculture produce has been available until recently under EC regulation 355/77. Scottish companies have a high success rate: since the inception of the scheme over 130 awards have been made attracting 25 per cent. grant worth some £9 million. In the last round, 11 companies were awarded £1.1 million in December 1990. Successful projects also receive United Kingdom Government grant of at least 8 per cent. of project costs.
Regulation 355/77 is being replaced, but support will continue. Bilateral discussions with the European Commission on a Community support framework for the United Kingdom under EC regulation 4042/89 are at an advanced stage. Agreement is expected next month opening the way for EC grant aid for projects seeking to improve the marketing and processing of fisheries and aquaculture produce. Administrative arrangements for the new scheme are already in place with an EC grant rate of up to 30 per cent. being available for Scottish projects along with a national back-up grant of 5 per cent.
United Kingdom companies may apply for grants for the improvement of facilities at fishing ports under EC regulation 4028/86. Two Scottish applications have already been successful in this regard and four new applications are with the Commission for consideration.