§ Mr. NichollsTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what is the aggregate total of vessel capacity units of the Anglo-Spanish vessels; [13136]
(2) what is the aggregate total of vessel capacity units of the 30 Anglo-Dutch vessels; [13137]
(3) what is the aggregate total of vessel capacity units of the United Kingdom registered and licensed fleet of over 10 fishing vessels. [13138]
§ Mr. BaldryFollowing the introduction of the Merchant Shipping (Registration of Shipping) Regulations 1993, SI 1993 No. 3138, the Registrar General of Shipping and Seamen no longer collects details of shareholdings in UK companies owning British-registered fishing vessels. This means that it is not always possible to be sure exactly which vessels are owned by Spanish or Dutch interests. However, we estimate that at 31 December 1995 there were 103 vessels with a significant Spanish interest, accounting for around 55,000 VCUs and 39 vessels with a significant Dutch interest, accounting for some 31,000 VCUs. This compares with an aggregate total of approximately 657,000 VCUs for the UK over-10 m licensed fleet.