§ Dr. Godmanasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many Scottish fishermen have lost their lives in the past five years; and how many Scottish registered fishing vessels have been lost during the same period.
§ Mr. David MitchellI have been asked to reply.
The number of deaths to fishermen are centrally recorded by the Registrar of Seamen and Shipping and the figures are published annually in the Department's booklet "Casualties to Vessels and Accidents to Men". No separate information is readily available about the deaths of Scottish fishermen and could only be extracted with disproportionate effort and cost. The booklet also gives details of losses of United Kingdom registered fishing vessels but separate figures for vessels registered at Scottish ports are not readily available for vessels under 12m in length. I greatly regret that during the four year period 1979 to 1982, 60 vessels of 12m in length and over registered at Scottish ports were lost.