§ Mr. SproatTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many fishing vessels from Scotland have been registered in the United Kingdom fishing vessel register for each year for the last 20 years.
§ Sir Hector MonroThe fishing vessel register held by the Department of Transport does not identify where the United Kingdom vessels are based. However, table 1 in the publication "The Scottish Fishing Fleet at 31 December 1990"—ISBN No. 0748 006060—shows the number of fishing vessels based in Scotland each year from 1965 onwards and is available from the House of Commons Library. A similar publication for 1991 is due out shortly.
§ Mrs. EwingTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the fishing industry in Scotland.
§ Sir Hector MonroGiven the poor state of a number of our main fish stocks, improved conservation has been a major priority of the Government over recent years. The need to reduce fishing effort is now paramount and our recent package, which includes a substantial financial commitment from the Government for vessel decommissioning is intended to achieve that. I am determined to do all I can to secure a good long-term future for the industry.