§ Dr. Godmanasked the Minister of Agriculture. Fisheries and Food if he has been informed by the European Commission that it will recommend an increase in 1986 in the industrial fishing by-catch level.
§ Mr. MacGregorThe European Commission has submitted a draft regulation to the Council which, if adopted, would have the effect of re-introducing for the period 1 October 1985 to 31 May 1986 a derogation to allow a by-catch of 18 per cent. of whiting in the Norway pout fishery similar to that applying for the same period in 1984–85. The Government does not consider this proposal to be justified and will make this clear in any Council discussions.