HC Deb 24 July 1969 vol 787 cc446-7W
81. Sir F. Bennett

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many fishery protection vessels are currently in active service to safeguard United Kingdom national fishing rights and to protect British fishermen and their trawlers both in inshore waters and elsewhere.

Dr. David Owen

Inshore patrols are carried out by the six coastal minesweepers of the Fishery Protection Squadron based at H.M.S. "Lochinvar". This effort is occasionally supplemented by other ships. Distant water patrols are conducted by frigates of the Western Fleet during the main fishing season.

Sir F. Bennett

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will give specifications of the size, equipment and speed of those vessels currently on full-time fishery protection duties.

Dr. David Owen

The coastal minesweepers of the Fishery Protection Squadron are 140 ft. in length, their maximum speed is 15 knots, and they carry a range of equipment appropriate to their tasks. The frigates on the distant water patrols are of various types and specifications.

Sir F. Bennett

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many of Her Majesty's Fishery Protection Fleet are permanently allocated to the protection of British inshore fishing rights along Great Britain's south and south-west coasts.

Dr. David Owen

Although ships of the Fishery Protection Squadron are not permanently allocated to any particular area, in practice one coastal minesweeper is deployed off the south and south-west coast almost continuously throughout the height of the fishing season.

Sir F. Bennett

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what was the total size of the Fisheries Protection Fleet in November, 1964, as compared with the present time.

Dr. David Owen

In November, 1964, four coastal minesweepers were engaged on home water patrols: the current total is six. These patrols are augmented from time to time by other ships.

Distant water patrols in November, 1964, were carried out by the four frigates of the Arctic Division; since the disbandment of the Division in 1967 this task has been conducted by frigates of the Western Fleet on rotation during the main fishing season.