§ Mr. SproatTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what information he has about the percentage cut in the number of fishing vessels to be required of all relevant European Community countries, other than the United Kingdom, under the same requirement as requires the United Kingdom to cut its number by 30 per cent; and if he will make a statement on what requirements each relevant European Community country, other than the United Kingdom, is placing on its fishing fleet parallel to the measures proposed in the Sea Fish (Conservation) Bill.
§ Mr. CurryNegotiations between member states and the Commission on the targets to be set in the 1993–96 multiannual guidance programme are not yet complete. The Commission has, however, indicated that targets will be comparable between member states and will involve a combination of capacity and effort reductions. Targets will also be segmented with more severe reductions set for those sections of the fleet prosecuting the more heavily exploited fisheries and the lighter reductions for sectors where the stock position is relatively satisfactory. No figure has been agreed yet for the United Kingdom.