§ Mr. McQuarrieasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will investigate the incident which occurred on Sunday 11 December when a Norwegian fisheries vessel fired 10 shots at the Peterhead-based vessel Spes Melior, owned by Mr. Stanley Buchan, when the vessel was operating near the Norwegian sector of the North Sea; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John MacKayFishery officers of my Department have sought to investigate this incident, but it appears that the skipper of the Spes Melior does not wish to make a statement at this stage.
All vessels fishing in Norwegian waters, like all vessels fishing in UK waters, must accept and facilitate inspections by the enforcement authorities. According to information supplied by the Norwegian authorities the Spes Melior was in the Norwegian zone of the north sea in position 58 10' north, 157' east on 11 December, having previously reported to these authorities that fishing operations were being carried out. By the Norwegian account, their coastguard vessel approached to make an inspection but the Spes Melior began to steam away westwards; by radio and signal flares the coastguard repeatedly ordered the Spes Melior to stop for inspection, but the skipper did not comply; shots from handguns were fired across the bow after the crew were warned to clear the deck.
I understand that the Norwegian authorities have informed the owners that the vessel will not be permitted to fish in the Norwegian zone for a period of eight months from 1 January 1984.