Flags of Convenience (Hansard, 19 October 1992)

§ Mr. Austin Mitchell
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many Dutch fishing vessels sailing under flags of convenience have(a) area 7 beam trawl pressure stock licences and (b) area 4 beam trawl licences.

§ Mr. Curry
As at 9 October, 14 Dutch-owned or largely Dutch-owned United Kingdom-registered fishing vessels hold area VII beam trawl pressure stock licences. Ten of these also hold area IV beam trawl licences and a further five have area IV beam trawl licences only.

§ Mr. Austin Mitchell
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many flag of convenience fishery vessels operating from United Kingdom ports have not complied fully with the conditions attached to their licences; and what action has been taken against them.

§ Mr. Curry
Sixteen non-British-owned or largely non-British-owned United Kingdom-registered fishing vessels contravened the conditions of their fishing licence in 1991 and in 1992 to the end of August. In one case there has been a successful prosecution and in two other cases an official warning has been given. One case has been dropped and 12 cases are still pending, while prosecution is considered.

§ Mr. Austin Mitchell
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many fishing vessels registered under flags of convenience are licensed by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

§ Mr. Curry
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport is providing the hon. Member with a list of the 81 fishing vessels which qualified for registration either pursuant to the interim relief granted by the House of Lords or as a direct result of the Factortame judgment. As at 9 October 1992 all of these held United Kingdom fishing licences.