§ Mr. Randallasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the Government's longer-term policy regarding the capacity of the British freezer vessel fleet; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Gummer[pursuant to his reply, 6 December 1985: On matters affecting the structure of the United Kingdom fishing fleet the Government's general aim is to promote a satisfactory balance between catching capacity and the available fishing opportunities. In recent years the United Kingdom's distant water white fish opportunities under agreements between the European Community and third countries, such as Norway, Canada, Greenland and the Faroe Islands, have not been fully taken up and licences are available for freezer trawlers or other vessels wishing to do so. The licensing arrangements for the pelagic fisheries in the North sea and Western waters, including those for the licensing of freezer trawlers, are currently being reviewed, taking into account current and prospective fishing opportunities.