HC Deb 16 May 1988 vol 133 cc323-4W
Mr. David Porter

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the future size of(a) the Lowestoft and (b) the English inshore fishing fleet; and if he will make a statement on the role of the Lowestoft fleet in the United Kingdom fishery.

Mr. Gummer

[holding answer 12 May 1988]: The Government are concerned to encourage an efficient United Kingdom fishing fleet with a catching capacity which bears a reasonable relationship to the available fishing opportunities. Within that overall objective, it is essentially for market forces to determine the relative size of different sectors of the United Kingdom fleet.