§ Mr. ShawTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he plans to implement measures to ensure that an economic link exists between UK-flagged vessels and the fishing communities in the UK intending to benefit from quotas allocated to the UK under the Common Fisheries Policy; and if he will make a statement. [41893]
§ Mr. MorleyThere has been extensive consultation with the various interests affected and we have also been having detailed discussions with the European Commission on the basis of the guidance contained in the exchange of letters between the Prime Minister and the President of the Commission which took place at the Amsterdam meeting of the European Council last year.
Specific proposal by the UK are currently under consideration by the Commission and we expect to receive their advice on them shortly so that we can make early progress with implementation.
68WA copy of the UK proposals under current consideration by the Commission has been placed in the Library of the House.