HC Deb 17 July 1987 vol 119 cc679-80W
Mr. Randall

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to compensate those companies which did not exceed the saithe catch quotas allocated to them for area six before the closure of this fishery; and what corresponding action he will take with those companies which exceeded their quotas in this area.

Mr. Gummer

[pursuant to his reply, 16 July 1987]: Under the terms of the sectoral quota arrangements for the area IV and VI white fisheries agreed with the industry at a consultative meeting in January, organisations which exceed a sectoral quota allocation to the disadvantage of others in the fishery are subject to a tonne-for-tonne deduction in the following year with the quantities concerned being used to compensate those disadvantaged. We are currently seeking additional opportunities for saithe by means of a quota exchange with another member state. If this proves successful, we shall discuss with the industry the scope for using the additional quantities to provide compensation this year.