§ Mr. William RossTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will publish(a) the draught and tonnage of the fisheries research vessel Lough Foyle, (b) the type of fish covered by research carried out by the vessel since it came into the possession of the Northern Ireland authorities, (c) the number of full-time crew employed on the vessel, (d) the number of scientists employed on the vessel, (e) the number of other staff 570W employed on the vessel, (f) the number of staff employed at the shore establishment and which directly support the vessel, (g) the port at which the vessel is based, (h) the sea area which is covered by research cruises on behalf of the Northern Ireland authorities, (i) the number of days spent at sea in each year since the vessel came into the possession of the Northern Ireland authorities and (j) the costs attributed to the vessel in each such year, or as much of such information as is available to him.
§ Mr. Peter Bottomley[holding answer 27 February 1990]: The information is as follows:
- (a) RV Lough Foyle:
- —draught: 4.09 m
- —gross tonnage: 547 tonnes
- (b) Cod, whiting, herring, haddock, plaice, hake, scallops, nephrops.
- (c) 13.
- (d) None employed full-time on the vessel. Two permanent scientific staff and four permanent technical staff have taken part in research cruises. Additional scientific and technical staff are currently being recruited.
- (e) Three administrative officers have participated in research vessel duties. Additional staff are currently being recruited.
- (f) Staff at (d) and (e) above plus part of the time of management at the Fisheries Research Laboratory.
- (g) Belfast.
- (h) North coastal waters, the Irish sea and the Celtic sea.
- (i) Since the maiden cruise of the RV Lough Foyle on 31 October 1988 until 23 February 1990 the vessel has spent 37 and 140 days at sea in 1988–89 and 1989–90 respectively.
- (j) The operational costs of the vessel were £290.000 in 1988–89. The estimated cost in 1989–90 is £504,600.