§ Mr. Nealeasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the Government propose to introduce legislation on the registration of fishing vessels designed to ensure that the United Kingdom quotas are reserved for United Kingdom fishermen.
§ Mr. Harrisasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proposals he has to prevent foreign-owned fishing vessels from gaining access to United Kingdom quotas; and when such measures will be introduced.
§ Mr. MacGregorMy predecessor, my right hon. Friend the Member for Westmorland and Lonsdale (Mr. Jopling), announced on 9 May that the Government had decided that the law on the registration of fishing vessels should be changed so that, in order to obtain registration of a British fishing vessel, a company will have to be largely owned and managed by British citizens resident and domiciled in this 615W country. The Government's intention is to include the necessary provisions in the Merchant Shipping Bill which it is hoped will be introduced in the autumn.