§ Mr. Sproatasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the present situation for fisheries protection in terms of vessels and aircraft deployed; and what plans he has to increase that protection.
§ Mr. Buchanan-SmithFive Royal Navy Island class vessels and three vessels operated by the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland are deployed in offshore waters. They are supported by RAF Nimrod aircraft, which fly approximately 180 hours a month on surveillance duties.
Eight Royal Navy TON class vessels and a further three vessels operated by the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland are deployed in coastal waters.
The operation of this force is kept under review.