§ Mr. Austin Mitchellasked the Secretary of State for Transport how many Spanish fishing vessels have been registered as United Kingdom vessels in each year since 1980; and how many are currently on the United Kingdom registry.
§ Mr. MooreThe numbers of fishing vessels previously registered in Spain, and subsequently registered in the United Kingdom following their transfer to United Kingdom registered companies in which there is a controlling Spanish interest, in each year since 1980, have been:
Number 1980 4 1981 20 1982 24 1983 1 1984 — 1985 2 Eleven of these vessels were subsequently removed from the United Kingdom register, but seven were later reregistered. In this period, too, a further 17 United Kingdom registered fishing vessels, not previously registered in Spain, were acquired by United Kingdom registered companies in which the controlling shareholding is Spanish. Eight of these vessels have since been removed from the United Kingdom register. Thus a total of 56 fishing vessels that are owned by United Kingdom registered companies with controlling Spanish shareholdings are currently on the United Kingdom register.
§ Mr. Austin Mitchellasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he has proposals for legislation to confine British registration to fishing vessels beneficially owned in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. MooreMy Department is considering this difficult problem, in consultation with representatives of the fishing industry and the Departments that are directly 611W concerned with fisheries matters. I shall consider what legislation might be appropriate in the light of the recommendations that are put to me.