§ Mr. Gordon Wilsonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received regarding the decision to allocate fishing grants according to boat size; and if he will make a statement on the effects on the fishing fleet of this method of allocation of funds.
§ Mr. John MacKayThe Fishing Vessels (Temporary Financial Assistance) Scheme 1982 provided for payments to be made to individual vessel owners on a scale graduated according to vessel length. As with the corresponding schemes of 1980 and 1981, this method was adopted so that the aid might be disbursed to vessel owners with the minimum of delay. My right hon. Friend has received two representations that vessel length should not have been the sole determinant of the amount payable. The aim of the scheme, which was generally welcomed by the fishing industry, was to sustain the fishing fleet while negotiations for a common fisheries policy continued. My right hon. Friend is satisfied that this objective has been achieved.