§ Mr. Sproatasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the number of Soviet fishing vessels, or vessels trading in fish, currently operating in British waters; and what estimate he has made of the value of the catch or purchase of the fish, caught or purchased by such vessels, in the latest 12-month period for which he has figures.
§ Mr. Buchanan-SmithNo Soviet vessels are permitted to fish in United Kingdom fishery limits. I know of 10 Soviet vessels currently within United Kingdom limits for the purpose of buying fish. Statistics are not kept in such a way as to identify separately the value of fish purchased by such vessels.
§ Mr. Sproatasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what consideration his Department is giving to banning Soviet vessels from fishing, or trading in fish, in British waters, until Soviet troops retreat from Afghanistan; and what discussion he has had with United Kingdom European Economic Community partners on this matter.
§ Mr. Buchanan-SmithSoviet vessels have not been permitted to fish within United Kingdom fishery limits since 1977. My right hon. Friend, the Lord Privy Seal made clear in his statement to the House on 24 January that all trade should be pursued on a basis of mutual advantage and that we would apply that principle to British-Soviet trade. Discussions have been held with our EEC partners on the major agricultural and food products traded with the USSR. The situation for fish and other products is being kept under review.