HC Deb 13 December 1990 vol 182 cc505-6W
Mr. Foulkes

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will detail the arrangements he has agreed with the Clyde Fishermen's Association to avoid further accidents between fishing boats and submarines in the firth of Clyde; whether such arrangements will extend to the Irish sea and its approaches; and if he will make a statement.

Sir Hector Monro

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will extend the submarine notification procedure between the Royal Navy and the fishing industry for the firth of Clyde to the Irish sea.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

Information on the times and areas in which submarine activity is planned will be broadcast to fishermen by the coastguard every four hours using VHF radio. Similar information will also be available through the operations room at Faslane. The scheme will be introduced in the Clyde area on 17 December. Any extension of this scheme to other sea areas would have to take account both of its working in the Clyde area and of its practicability elsewhere.

Mr. Foulkes

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made on the trials of the Seametrix system of transponders on fishing nets; when he expects them to conclude; if the cost of such systems will be funded by the Government; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

Trials of a static electronic net-avoidance device have already been carried out. It is planned to hold a series of further trials, involving a towed prototype. These will begin on 13 December and will include the participation of Royal Navy vessels. No decision has been taken on the funding of such devices if and when a product becomes commercially available.