HC Deb 17 December 1997 vol 303 c226W
Sir Richard Body

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what measures his Department is taking in respect of the purchase of quota-hopping fishing vessels or their licences. [20261]

Mr. Morley

Under EC law, Ministers cannot discriminate against nationals from other Member States who are entitled to purchase British registered fishing vessels and to acquire the licence entitlements arising from such vessels.

Any qualifying UK registered vessel can apply to decommissioning schemes.