§ Mr. David PorterTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if he will make a statement on how his Department will pursue the deregulation initiative with regard to regulations affecting the fishing industry; and what resources he has devoted to it;
(2) what assessment he has made of the scope for reduction in the number of regulations affecting the fishing industry and of the consequent effect on the manpower of his Department.
§ Mr. CurryEach of the policy areas for which my Department has responsibility is being studied with a view to identifying where the burden of regulation is heaviest and can most easily be relieved. The fisheries sector is currently being studied within this overall review.
§ Mr. David PorterTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food under what treaty basis the common fisheries policy is established; how that basis will be changed under the treaty of Maastricht; and if he will make a statement.
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§ Mr. CurryThe common fisheries policy is established under article 43 of the treaty establishing the European Economic Community. This treaty basis would not be affected by the treaty of Maastricht.