§ Mr. Austin MitchellTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what reference was made to the EC Commission about his Department's ban on the carriage of monofilament nets; and what representations were received from the Commission.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythAs was stated to the hon. Member on 17 April 1986, at column457, the Commission of the European Communities was consulted about the terms of the order before it was laid. In reply the Commission indicated that the order was compatible with Community law and in conformity with the common fisheries policy.
On 5 November 1987, the Commission confirmed that the measures in the order could now be regarded as technical measures, covered by article 14(1)(b) of Council Regulation (EEC) No. 3094/86 which replaced Council Regulation (EEC) No. 171/83 on 14 October 1986.