§ Mr. KirkwoodTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will make it his policy to make representations against the conservation proposal being proposed by the European Community to reduce the landing size of nephrops from 85mm to 58mm; if he will instead consider a derogation for the Irish sea to allow the minimum size of 58mm to be confined to that sector of the market; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Gummer[holding answer 15 December 1987]: At the Fisheries Council meeting on 14–16 December 1 argued that a reduction in the minimum landing size for nephrops should be made for the Irish sea and west of Scotland stocks only and in any case that the present minimum landing size for nephrops in the North sea should be maintained. No decision was taken on this matter, which was referred, along with the other elements of the Commission's proposals on technical conservation measures, for further examination at official level.