§ Mr. Austin Mitchellasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will publish figures showing how current aid to the fishing industry compares with that given by other European Economic Community countries with fishing fleets.
§ Mr. Buchanan-SmithComparison between the aids given to our fishing industry and those given in other countries is made difficult by differences in the type of aids provided and in fleet structures and by currency movements. I shall write to the hon. Member as soon as possible with our assessment of the present position.
§ Mr. Austin Mitchellasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the scale of present aid to the fishing industry expressed per fishing vessel; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Buchanan-SmithGrants of 25 per cent. and loans of up to 50 per cent. are available towards the cost of the construction or improvement of fishing vessels. In addition, payments made under the Fishing Vessel Temporary Support Scheme 1981 were on a scale from £350 for vessels of under 25 ft. in length up to £53,800 for vessels of over 190 ft. Full details of the latter scheme were placed in the Library of the House on 30 April 1981.