§ Mr. William RossTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on how many occasions a fisheries scientist from his Department has attended meetings of the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea in each of the last three years.
§ Mr. Peter Bottomley[holding answer 23 March 1990]: The information requested is as follows:
Year Number 1987 3 1988 4 1989 3
§ Mr. William RossTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what are the projected annual savings to his Department which will arise by transfer of all fisheries research laboratory staff and the freshwater biological staff to Belfast; what percentage of the research vessel Lough Foyle annual running costs in a full year this represents; and what percentage of the research vessel's total annual costs this represents, including depreciation and replacement costs.
§ Mr. Peter Bottomley[holding answer 23 March 1990]: An investment appraisal estimated that over a 25-year period, relocation of staff from fisheries research 216W laboratory, Coleraine and freshwater biological investigation unit, Antrim to Belfast and the location of the scientific staff from the research vessel on the same site would have the lowest discounted net cost compared to other options.
The decision to relocate was driven primarily by the scientific benefits to be gained from having a unified division located at the Department of Agriculture's scientific base in Belfast.
The question of savings expressed as a percentage of research vessel costs is not relevant.
§ Mr. William RossTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what scientific evidence is put to meetings of the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea on behalf of his Department.
§ Mr. Peter Bottomley[holding answer 23 March 1990]: Scientific evidence presented to ICES consists of fish population parameters obtained from samples of the Northern Ireland sea-fish catches and fishing vessels. These Northern Ireland input data are combined with analogous data supplied by scientists from other EC countries exploiting Irish sea stocks and stock assessments are carried out using internationally agreed modelling techniques. Results derived in future through the MV Lough Foyle will provide essential fishery-independent data hence greatly enhancing accuracy of stock assessments and the resultant total allowable catches.
§ Mr. William RossTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what would be the total savings for(a) 1990–91, (b) 1991–92 and (c) 1992–93 if the research vessel Lough Foyle were now to be sold.
§ Mr. Peter Bottomley[holding answer 23 March 1990]: Total savings from selling the Lough Foyle have not been estimated as our current policy is to enhance marine research through the facility of a sea-going research vessel.
§ Mr. William RossTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether a place on the United Kingdom delegation of scientists to meetings of the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea is reserved for a scientist from his Department.
§ Mr. Peter Bottomley[holding answer 23 March 1990]: