§ Mr. Donald Stewartasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions have taken place with the EEC on proposals to retire older fishermen on pension and give grants for the scrapping of boats.
§ Mr. MillanI have been asked to reply.
The Commission's proposals for restructuring the Community's inshore fleet (R2988/75) include assistance from Commuinty funds to supplement any national pension and scrapping schemes. Consideration of the proposals is still at an early stage. They have been discussed in a Council working group which includes officials of the United Kingdom Fisheries Departments. The Commission's proposals for the conservation and management of fishery resources (R2362/76) envisage inter alia measures to achieve the withdrawal of obsolete and uneconomic deep-sea fishing vessels. Detailed proposals are promised by the Commission by 1st March 1977.