§ Mr. Austin MitchellTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what consultations he requires the Marine Safety Agency to carry out with the fishing industry; and what proposals he has for improving the system of consultation. [18785]
§ Mr. NorrisI have asked the chief executive of the Marine Safety Agency to write to the hon. Member.
Letter from R. M. Bradley to Mr. Austin Mitchell, dated 5 March 1996:
The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your Question about the Marine Safety Agency's consultation with the fishing industry and proposal for its improvement.
150WThe existing consultation framework comprises principally of meetings of the MSA's Fishing Industry Safety Group (FISG), of FISG Sub-Groups and of Steering Groups set up by FISG to oversee particular developments, together with informal and formal written consultation on legislative and other proposals. A meeting has been arranged with representatives of the fishermen's federations on Tuesday 26 March to discuss industry's concerns about current arrangements and to seek agreement on a framework for future consultation.