HC Deb 27 May 1988 vol 134 c345W
Mrs. Margaret Ewing

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many recorded collisions there have been between fishing vessels and other ships in the North sea in each of the past five years.

Mr. David Mitchell

The following table shows the numbers of collisions in the Department's records, between fishing vessels and other ships in the North sea, since 1983.

Number
1983 1
1984 5
1985 4
1986 1
1987 2

Mrs. Margaret Ewing

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many meetings have been held between his officials and representatives of the Scottish fishing industry in connection with accidents or near misses of fishing boats and other seafaring vessels in each of the last five years; and if he will list such incidents in theOfficial Report.

Mr. David Mitchell

There has been one formal meeting between my officials and representatives of the Scottish fishing industry within the last five years devoted specifically to accidents or near misses of fishing boats and other seafaring vessels. And there have been a number of meetings at which accidents involving fishing vessels have been among the topics for discussion, notably those of the fishing industry safety group on which the Scottish industry is represented. This group meets regularly, and has held 11 meetings since April 1983.