§ Mr. MitchellTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if his decision to discontinue safety grants for fishing vessels applies in Scotland; and what consultations he has held on this with his Scottish counterpart. [85908]
§ Mr. MorleyThe MAFF funded Fishing Vessels (Safety Improvements) (Grants) Scheme 1995 enabled payments to be made in all parts of the United Kingdom. The closure of the scheme to new applications on 21 May 1999 also applies to Scotland. The EU funded Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance (FIFG), which also provided fishing vessel safety grants, was effectively 23W closed in Scotland on 9 April when the Scottish Fisheries Minister announced the final round of awards to the Scottish industry. These EU awards fully committed the balance of FIFG funds available for Scottish projects.
The decisions relating to MAFF expenditure were taken in the context of the Government's Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR) which examined the most effective use of public money across and within all Departments.
§ Mr. MitchellTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what arrangements he is making for the English fishing industry to be consulted on proposals for the Scottish Executive to develop distinctive management measures for Scottish waters. [85907]
§ Mr. MorleyIssues relating to consultation will be covered in the concordat between the Scottish Executive and MAFF. It will be for the Scottish Executive, in the first instance, to ensure that it consults all interests likely to be affected by proposals for local fisheries conservation measures to be applied in the Scottish zone of British Fishery Limits.