§ Mr. Cleggasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what he anticipates will be the effect of the Government of the Republic of Ireland's declaration of an exclusive fisheries zone in the Irish Sea;
(2) whether he will give consideration to the banning of beam trawling in the United Kingdom waters in the Irish Sea.
§ Mr. BishopThe Government of the Republic of Ireland have not declared an exclusive fisheries zone. Regulations have been issued which would prohibit fishing by vessels in excess of 33 metres registered length and 1,100 brake-horse power within a zone inside the Irish fishery limits. Discussions on these732W measures are continuing within the Community, although most United Kingdom vessels operating within the waters concerned are believed to be within the size and power limits proposed.