§ Mr. Austin MitchellTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to the answer of 5 March 2002,Official Report, column 152W, for what reason the limit for compensation is measured in imperial miles; and whether Working Man's Bank off Faroes is within 200 (a) imperial and (b) nautical miles. [42501]
§ Nigel GriffithsThe area within 200 imperial miles of the Icelandic coast was selected as a convenient and identifiable area that accorded with the policy aim of the scheme to compensate former Icelandic water trawlermen following consultation with their leaders. Working Man's Bank is both within 200 imperial miles and within 200 nautical miles of the Icelandic coast.
§ Mr. Austin MitchellTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to the answer of 5 March 2002, Official Report, column 152W, on fishing, when this was(a) decided and (b) announced. [42500]
§ Nigel GriffithsThe limitation of eligibility under the scheme to former trawlermen who served on vessels that fished within 200 miles of the Icelandic coast was a80W feature of the rules of the scheme when they were first drawn up and consulted upon with the former trawlermen's leaders. It was always the intention that "miles" refer to imperial miles rather than nautical, so no specific announcement was made in that regard.