Dr. John D. TaylorTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if the recent award to the Southern Irish fishing industry to compensate for bad weather conditions is consistent with the commons fisheries policy; if she will consider proposing similar assistance for the United Kingdom fishing industry; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mr. JackThe European Commission has a duty to examine all aids introduced by member states. It will consider whether the national aid package for the Irish fishing industry announced by the Irish Government on 18 April to alleviate hardship caused by the recent bad weather is in accordance with the provisions of the treaty of Rome and the guidelines on state aids in the fisheries sector.
I have no plans to introduce such aid in the United Kingdom. However, United Kingdom share fishermen who satisfy the conditions of the national insurance rules that apply to them they are eligible to claim unemployment benefit for days they did not fish due to bad weather.