§ Mr. Hendersonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what is the number of claims lodged, how they were settled, and what has been the amount paid out of the Compensation Fund administered by the Fisheries and Offshore Oil Consultative Group since its inception;
(2) what is the average time taken to settle claims lodged against the Compensation Fund administered by the Fisheries and Offshore Oil Consultative Group.
§ Mr. Hugh D. BrownThe Compensation Fund is administered not by the Fisheries and Offshore Oil Consultative Group but by a management committee based in Aberdeen, comprising fishermen's representatives. The number of claims lodged against the fund has totalled 101: 73 have been settled with a total amount paid of £25,793. Seven have been rejected and 21 have still to 257W be considered. The average time taken to settle claims lodged against the fund is about two months.
§ Mr. Hendersonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what consideration has been given to extending the provisions of the Compensation Fund operated by the Fisheries and Offshore Oil Consultative Group to include realistic compensation for fishing time lost during repairs and for damage to the hulls of vessels affected.
§ Mr. Hugh D. BrownThe United Kingdom Offshore Operators' Association, which is represented on the Fisheries and Offshore Oil Consultative Group, has taken the view that damage to fishing vessels and their propellers by, for example, unidentifiable drifting hawsers is an insurable risk. I understand, however, that the fishermen's representatives intend to raise this matter for further discussion at the next meeting of the group.