§ 41. Rear-Admiral Morgan-Gilesasked the Secretary of State for Defence what additional ships and aircraft will be provided for the maritime surveillance of the 200-miles fishing zone; and when these will be available.
§ Mr. DuffyFive Royal Navy ships of the Island class and four Royal Air Force Nimrod surveillance aircraft are being provided for offshore tasks including fishery protection within a 200-mile zone. The first of the ships is already in service and the remainder are expected to be accepted into the Royal Navy during 1977. The aircraft will be allocated on 1st January 1977. Other resources of the Armed Forces will be made available as required. The new ships will be in addition to those in service with the Fishery Protection Squadron and to the fishery protection vessels operated by the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland.