§ 139. Mr. Wallasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what consultations he has had with the Defence Department over the disbanding of the Fisheries Protection Squadron; and 300W what representations he has received from the fishing industry.
§ 140. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement about the changes in the command structure of the Fisheries Protection Squadron; and if he will give an assurance that the fishing fleets in the North Sea will continue to have as full protection from foreign encroachments as heretofore.
§ Dame Irene Wardasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received from the British Trawlers' Federation on the abolition of the Fishery Protection Squadron; and what reply has been sent.
§ Mr. HoyI understand that the change which has been made in the command structure has been to place under the command of the C.-in-C. Home Fleet the frigates which are engaged in distant water patrols. The Captain Fishery Protection will continue to be responsible for the overall planning and co-ordination of fishery protection operations; and the coastal minesweepers which are responsible for fishery protection round the United Kingdom remain under his administrative control.
No change is being made in the level of protection either in home or distant waters.
Our Department was consulted before these organisational changes were made.
The British Trawlers' Federation asked for a clarification of certain Press reports, and I have placed in the Library a copy of the reply which has been sent to them.