§ Dr. Godmanasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) pursuant to the statement of 29 October, Official Report, column 323, what advice has been given to the Falkland Islands Government concerning the purchase of civilian fisheries protection vessels;
(2) pursuant to the statement of 29 October, Official Report, column 323, what is the total area, expressed in square kilometres, of the 200 miles fisheries limit around the Falkland Islands;
(3) pursuant to the statement of 29 October, Official Report, column 323, what advice has been given to the Falkland Islands Government concerning the number and type of fisheries protection vessels to be used in the policing of the fisheries conservation zone;
(4) pursuant to the statement of 29 October, Official Report, column 323, if the Falkland Islands Government have approached Her Majesty's Government with a request for the leasing of Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food or DAF(S) fisheries protection vessels;
(5) pursuant to the statement of 29 October, Official Report, column 323, what consultations have taken place between Her Majesty's Government and the Falkland Islands Government concerning the acquisition of civilian surveillance aircraft to be used in the policing of the fisheries conservation zone;
(6) what advice Her Majesty's Government have offered to the Falkland Islands Government concerning the policy on and mechanics of inspection and the boarding of fishing vessels operating or fishing inside the fishery conservation zone;
(7) if it is Her Majesty's Government's intention to provide advice to the Falkland Islands Government on the level of penalty appropriate to offences involving breaches of the law relating to fishing; and if he will make a statement;
(8) pursuant to the statement of 29 October, Official Report, column 323, if it is the intention of Her Majesty's Government to provide financial assistance to the Falkland Islands Council for the purchase of fisheries protection vessels; and if he will make a statement;
(9) pursuant to the statement of 29 October, Official Report, column 323, what discussions have taken place between Her Majesty's Government and the Falkland Islands Government concerning the structure, management and financial costs of a fisheries protection service;
(10) pursuant to the statement of 29 October, Official Report, column 323, if British personnel will crew the fisheries protection vessels to be used in the policing of the fisheries conservation zone;
(11) pursuant to the statement of 29 October, Official Report, column 323, what advice Her Majesty's Government have given to the Falkland Islands Government concerning the recruitment, selection, training and terms and conditions of employment of officers and crews of the fisheries protection vessels to be used in the policing of the fisheries conservation zone;
(12) if it is the intention of Her Majesty's Government to employ vessels of the Royal Navy in conjunction with policing of the Falklands Island fisheries conservation zone from 1 February 1987; and if he will make a statement;
550W(13) what discussions have taken place between Her Majesty's Government and the Falkland Islands Government concerning the licensing and total allowable catch limits of fishing activities within the Falkland Islands fisheries conservation zone;
(14) what discussions have taken place between Her Majesty's Government and the Falkland Islands Government concerning the preferential licensing treatment for the fishing vessels of European Economic Community nations seeking to fish within the Falkland Islands fisheries conservation zone;
(15) which stocks of fish are currently most seriously threatened in the Falkland Islands fisheries conservation zone.
§ Mr. EggarWe and the Falkland Islands Government have had close consultations on all aspects of the establishment of a Falkland Islands conservation zone, including the details of enforcement, revenue and licensing. Responsibility for administering the zone will lie with the Falkland Islands Government. The European Commission and the Governments of states interested in fishing within the zone will be approached on the arrangements for issuing licences once the Falkland Islands Government have passed the relevant legislation. Of the three main fish stocks, squid (illex) is under threat. The total sea area of the zone is approximately 65,000 square nautical miles (220,000 square kilometres). Enforcement will be carried out by the Falkland Islands Government using its own civilian fisheries protection vessels and a surveillance aircraft. As my right hon. and learned Friend told the House on 29 October, it is open to the Government to use, in appropriate circumstances, the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force assets currently on patrol in the zone. The two vessels, already earmarked, will be adapted stern freezer trawlers chartered commercially, with British crews, by the Falkland Islands Government using their own resources. The surveillance aircraft will also be chartered commercially. A team of Falkland Islands Government fisheries officers, initially seconded from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, will be responsible, under the Falkland Islands Government, for administering and enforcing the licensing regime. The powers of the Falkland Islands fisheries protection officers will be set out in the Falkland Islands Fisheries (Conservation and Management) Ordinance 1986. The ordinance will also set out appropriate penalties.
§ Mr. Campbell-Savoursasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what replies or representations have been received from the Soviet Government on the question of the establishment of a Falkland Islands interim conservation and management zone in reply to Her Majesty's Government's letter of 29 October and previous notifications of intent to establish the zone;
(2) what views the Soviet Government have expressed to Her Majesty's Government on Britain's claim to the right to extend fisheries limits around the Falkland Islands.
§ Mr. EggarThe Soviet charge d'affaires delivered a text on 3 November to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in connection with the Secretary of State's message to the Soviet Foreign Minister of 29 October. The contents of the statement are confidential.
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§ Mr. Foulkesasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions there were with the United States Government prior to the announcement of the new fisheries zone around the Falklands; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. EggarThe United States Government have been kept fully abreast of our increasing concern over the need for effective fisheries conservation measures in the southwest Atlantic. My right hon. and learned Friend sent a message to Secretary of State Shultz on 29 October.
§ Mr. Foulkesasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the strength of the fisheries protection fleet planned for the Falklands; when it is expected to be on station; where the crew will be recruited from; what the arrangements will be for supply and relief; and to whom and how the fleet will be directly responsible.
§ Mr. EggarThe Falkland Islands Government's fisheries protection resources will consist of two vessels and one surveillance aircraft, which will be in place before the Falkland Islands interim conservation and management zone comes into effect on 1 February 1987. These assets will be on commercial charter and will have British552W crews. Arrangements for rotation of crews will be covered in the charter contract. The fisheries protection assets will be under the control of the Falkland Islands Government.
§ Mr. Foulkesasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions took place with Governments of member states of the European Community prior to the announcement of the Falklands fisheries zone.
§ Mr. EggarWe had been in regular touch with our partners on the question of fisheries in the south-west Atlantic. My right hon. and learned Friend also sent personal messages to his European Community colleagues on 29 October.
§ Dr. Godmanasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions have taken place between Her Majesty's Government and the European Economic Community concerning the imposition of a fisheries limit around the Falkland Islands.
§ Mr. EggarWe have been in regular touch with the Commission and with our partners on the question of fisheries in the south west Atlantic. My right hon. and learned Friend sent personal messages to his European Community colleagues and to the Fisheries Commissioner on 29 October.