§ Mr. Mawbyasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is satisfied with the protection given to Devon fishermen's interests by his fishery protection fleet; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. HoyThe Fishery Protection Squadron is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence. I am satisfied that the squadron's resources are deployed to give the maximum possible assistance to fishermen. It is not possible for a fishery protection vessel to be at the scene of every incident, but seasonal trouble spots like the Devon south coast are carefully policed. H.M.S. "Belton" was in the area at the time of the recent incident between Devon crabbers and a French trawler, and assisted in the investigation.