18. Mr. J. Enoch Powellasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what benefits accrue to the fishery industry of Northern Ireland in consequence of the Manx authorities being the agents of Her Majesty's Fishery Ministers in the waters between three and 12 miles from the coast of the island, or would accrue in consequence of the Manx authorities being permitted to increase that control in their own right.
§ Mr. ButlerThe involvement of the Isle of Man Board of Agriculture and Fisheries in relation to the herring fishery in these waters helps to provide for more rapid adjustment of catching to market needs by varying the level at which weekly or fortnightly vessel allocations are set within the United Kingdom quota. This is of benefit to Northern Ireland fishermen whose involvement in the fishery is the largest. I am not aware of any additional benefits which accrue to the Northern Ireland industry in the circumstances described in the second part of the question.