§ Mr. CannTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) how much finance has been made available to the United Kingdom to date from the Pesca initiative; and how much has been spent; [14608]
(2) what use of the Pesca funds has been made to assist fishery-dependent areas of the United Kingdom; [14607]
(3) what plans he has to use Pesca funding for the benefit of British fishermen. [14609]
§ Mr. BaldryA total of 37.42 mecu—some £31 million—has been allocated to the United Kingdom for the period 1995 to 1999. Subject to final confirmation from the European Commission, further funding of 5.88 mecu—approximately £5 million—will also be available from the Community initiative reserve.
As indicated in the announcement which I made today, applications are now being invited for projects which meet the criteria in the UK's implementation programme, which was approved by the European Commission in June 1995. This places particular emphasis on diversification into non-fishing activities. But funds will also be available for the restructuring of the fisheries sector and for retraining in areas dependent on fishing.
No grants have yet been awarded, but I expect the first payments under Pesca to be made in the early part of this year.