§ Mr. Matthew TaylorTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what reasons he ascribes to the substantial drop in volume of fish catches off the Tyneside coast; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. CurryThe fall in landings in the first two months of 1990 at the main north-east coast ports compared with the same period in 1989 largely reflects the recent bad weather. During 1990 as a whole another factor will be that as North sea round fish stocks, in particular of cod and haddock, are lower total allowable catches in 1990 have been reduced to assist the recovery of such stocks.