§ Mrs. Clwydasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what account was taken, in drawing up the United Kingdom's area VII f/g (west coast) whitefish quotas for sole and plaice for 1984–85 of the fact that the plaice catch during the quota reference period was more than twice that for sole;
(2) what account was taken when drawing up the United Kingdom's VII f/g plaice quota for 1984–85 of the predominance of Belgian beam trawler activity during the reference period.
§ Mr. MacGregorThe United Kingdom quotas for sole and plaice in area VII f/g for 1985, like those of Belgium and other Member States, were calculated on the basis of the Member States' shares of each stock that were fixed by the common fisheries policy settlement of January 1983. These shares have "staying power" for the lifetime of the current CFP. The United Kingdom's share of the total allowable catch for VII f/g plaice reflects our historic performance during the reference period of 1973–78 amended slightly to take account of the application of the "Hague Preference" in favour of Ireland. In the case of VII f/g sole we secured a share substantially in excess of our historic performance.
§ Mrs. Clwydasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food why the United Kingdom and the French plaice quotas for 1984–85 have been set at 10 times the sole quotas; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MacGregorThe only area where United Kingdom and French plaice quotas are currently about 10 times their sole quotas is the Irish Sea (VIIa). These quotas reflect the current levels of total allowable catch (TAC) for each stock and the member states' percentage shares of the TACs. The common fisheries policy settlement of January 1983 fixed member states' shares of each stock independently, taking account of catches during the 1973–78 reference period. The TAC's are based on the latest scientific advice on the state of the stocks, the plaice TAG in this area being 4 times as large as the sole TAC.