HC Deb 13 December 1976 vol 922 cc579-80W
Mr. Penhaligon

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is satisfied with the enforcement of the three-mile fishing regulations off the Cornish coast.

Mr. Bishop

The only fisheries regulations applying exclusively to the area within three miles of the coast are bye-laws by local sea fisheries committees. Their enforcement is a matter for those committees' fishery officers.

Mr. Graham Page

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he intends to make an order completing the baseline from which the northern waters are identified for the purposes of the Sea Fishing (Specified Northern Waters) Prohibition Order 1976 and the Sea Fishing (Specified Northern Waters) Licensing Order 1976, which Orders the Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments in their 29th Report of last Session (HC 54-xli) reported as requiring elucidation.

Mr. Bishop

Such action is not required as the two Orders lapsed on 1st December. The Joint Committee's recommendation will certainly be considered if British trawlers resume fishing off Iceland under arrangements which call for statutory orders to be made.