§ 44. Mr. Luceasked the Secretary of State for Defence what arrangements he is making for the full protection of British fishing grounds and fishing fleets within the area to be covered by the proposed extension of the EEZ.
§ Mr. DuffyAs my right hon. Friend the former Minister of State for Defence, announced on 11 th February 1975, the five new Royal Navy ships of the Island class and four Nimrod surveillance aircraft are being provided for offshore tasks including fishery protection and the protection of oil and gas installations. The first of the Island class ships has already been commissioned and the remainder are due to enter service during 1977; the RAF aircraft will be allocated from 1st January 1977. The new ships will be in addition to those presently in service with the Fishery Protection Squadron and to the fishery protection vessels operated by the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland. Should there be a need for additional resources, these would be made available by the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force as required.
§ Mr. Banksasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the Royal Navy ships currently employed in fishery protection.
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§ Mr. DuffyThe following Royal Navy ships are currently employed on fishery protection:
- HMS "Alfriston"
- HMS "Bickington"
- HMS "Brereton"
- HMS "Brinton"
- HMS "Cuxton"
- HMS "Kellington"
- HMS "Shavington"
- HMS "Soberton"
- HMS "Tenacity"
- HMS "Cygnet"
- HMS "Kingfisher"
HMS "Jura" is also engaged on this work in addition to the protection of oil and gas installations; and Royal Navy frigates are employed as required.
The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland currently operates five fishery protection vessels.