§ Mr. Hendersonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will list the six most important recommendations made by the Fisheries and Offshore Oil Consultative Group since its inception;
(2) if he will make a statement on the issues currently under consideration by the Fisheries and Offshore Oil Consultative Group.
§ Mr. Hugh D. BrownIt would be inappropriate to classify by order of importance the subjects dealt with by the group. Among the many matters which have been discussed and on which progress has been made are the issue of regular bulletins to the fishing industry relating to offshore oil activities, compensation for fishermen, the problems arising from oil-related debris, and the marking of buoys. Loss of access to fishing grounds due to offshore oil and gas operations and compensation for loss of fishing time and for damage to fishing vessels are among the matters which are to be further considered by the group at its next meeting.
§ Mr. Hendersonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland which issues and on what dates he has referred to the Fisheries and Offshore Oil Consultative Group.
§ Mr. Hugh D. BrownMy right hon. Friend has not referred any particular issues to the group since its main purpose is to enable representatives of the offshore oil and fishing industries themselves to raise and discuss matters of mutual concern. However, matters of interest to both industries are raised where appropriate by representatives of Government Departments.
§ Mr. Hendersonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the cost to public funds of the Fisheries and Offshore Oil Consultative Group since its inception.
§ Mr. Hugh D. BrownThe main cost to public funds has been the provision 259W by the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland of the secretariat to the group and the cost of attendance at meetings by departmental officials. The total cost for the three years since the group was formed is estimated to be about £45,000.
§ Mr. Hendersonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list in the Official Report the meetings and places in each of the Fisheries and Offshore Oil Consultative Group since its inception.
§ Mr. Hugh D. BrownThere have been 10 meetings of the Fisheries and Offshore Oil Consultative Group. Dates and venues were as follows:
- 20th August 1974—Aberdeen
- 16th October 1974—Aberdeen
- 16th January 1975—Edinburgh
- 17th April 1975—Aberdeen
- 19th June 1975—Edinburgh
- 8th October 1975—Aberdeen
- 18th February 1976—Aberdeen
- 30th June 1976—Edinburgh
- 10th November 1976—Aberdeen
- 29th March 1977—Edinburgh
§ Mr. Hendersonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list in the Official Report the names of members of the Fisheries and Offshore Oil Consultative Group with their dates of appointment in each case.
§ Mr. Hugh D. BrownIndividuals are not appointed to the group. It meets under Scottish Office chairmanship and representation is drawn from the British Fishing Federation, the Scottish Fishermen's Federation, the Fisheries Organisation Society and the United Kingdom Offshore Operators' Association. Government Departments represented include the Department of Energy, the Department of Trade, the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland—which provides the secretariat to the group—and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. Other bodies or Departments may be invited to attend meetings of the group as necessary.