HC Deb 16 February 1979 vol 962 cc696-7W
Mr. Watt

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, in view of the fact that the EEC Parliament has voted for the creation of a single Community coastguard and fishery protection service, whether he will oppose any such development as inimical to the interests of the United Kingdom fishing industry; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Bishop

While the European Parliament has adopted a resolution proposing the creation of a single Community coastguard and fishery protection service, the Commission has not put any such proposal to the Council of Ministers. The Commission's proposed regulation on the control of fishing activities—R/107/78 as amended by R/3012/78—envisages that member States would be responsible for the inspection of fishing vessels within their ports and within waters subject to their sovereignty or jurisdiction. This accords with the Government's view, as recorded in their observations on recommendation 48 of the Fifth Report from the Expenditure Committee, Session 1977–78, that enforcement within national fishery limits should continue to be the responsibility of the coastal State.