HC Deb 26 July 1989 vol 157 cc749-50W
Dr. Godman

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has any proposals concerning the introduction of a quota system for the west of Scotland prawn fishery; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Lang

Landings of nephrops (prawns) by United Kingdom vessels from the west of Scotland in recent years have been, on average, between 70 and 80 per cent. of the United Kingdom's total allowable catch. Current indications are that this situation is unlikely to change markedly in 1989 and it is not therefore considered necessary to introduce a quota system for this stock at this time. Fisheries departments will, however, continue to monitor uptake of this stock closely and will take steps to control this fishery, if necessary.

Dr. Godman

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what proposals he has concerning the introduction of a de-commissioning scheme for fishing vessels; if such proposals contain a suggested regulation stating that any such vessel must have a pressure stock licence before being accepted for de-commissioning; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Lang

Fisheries Ministers are currently considering various issues concerning the structure of the fishing industry. A number of options, including decommissioning, are being considered as possible means of dealing with the present structural difficulties within the industry.

Dr. Godman

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list in theOfficial Report the weight and value of landings in each of the past 10 years; and what proportion of the total United Kingdom landings were for these years.

Mr. Lang

The information requested is given in the table:

Fish landings by United Kingdom vessels into Scotland
Percentage of Landings into the United Kingdom
Standard landed weight1 (thousand tonnes) Value at first sale (£ million) weight percent value percent
1979 355.0 122.2 42.3 48.1
1980 371.4 113.6 49.0 51.2
1981 444.0 127.5 59.3 55.7
82 498.2 148.7 64.4 57.1
1983 499.1 170.2 67.0 60.7
1984 543.3 193.9 74.1 65.1
1985 592.6 215.1 77.9 66.5
1986 551.3 234.5 76.7 64.7
1987 574.9 273.6 72.7 62.9
1988 554.9 253.1 274.8 262.9

1 For demersal fish (excluding Norway pout and sandeels) this generally means gutted fish with head on; for other species (including shell fish) it usually means whole fish.

2 Provisional