§ Sir T. Beamishasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is aware of the continuing concern felt by Sussex fishermen about the threat to their gear, and thus to their livelihood, from the regular intrusion by Belgian beam trawlers within the 12-mile limit; and if he will now arrange for more regular patrolling of the area by fisheries protection vessels within the area or in easy reach of it.
§ Mr. Anthony StodartSpecial patrols have been made by fishery protection vessels to investigate these complaints, but no foreign vessels have been found fishing illegally or causing damage to the gear set by our fishermen. This area of 87W the coast benefits from the increased provision for coastal fishery protection which was made last year. Operational plans are kept under constant review and adjusted in the light of changes in the fishing situation.