§ Mr. David PorterTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if he will make a statement on his plans to monitor other EEC member states' enforcement of the regulations of the common fisheries policy;
(2) what plans he has to secure agreement of all EEC member states to strengthen the numbers and role of the EC fisheries inspectorate and gradually to phase out individual national inspectorates; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. CurryMonitoring the enforcement arrangements of other member states is the job of the EC fisheries inspectorate. Each member state has the responsibility to enforce the common fisheries policy in its own territory and fisheries limits. The United Kingdom co-operates with other member states through the exchange of information on the landings and activities of vessels.
I see no need to press for any change in the present role of the EC fisheries inspectorate. Member states' inspection services should continue to perform their present functions and penalties should continue to be applied under national legislation.
§ Mr. David PorterTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the United Kingdom share of the total cost of the EEC common fisheries policy for the last year for which figures are available(a) as a percentage of the total and (b) the actual amount spent.
§ Mr. CurryIt is not possible to separate the United Kingdom's share of the costs of individual EC policies from the United Kingdom's contribution to the EC budget as a whole.
Total EC payments to the United Kingdom under the EEC common fisheries policy in 1988 (the most recent year for which figures are available) was 10.7 mecu (£7.3 million). This was 4.1 per cent. of the amount paid to all member states.
Source: European Court of Auditors report, 1988.
§ Mr. David PorterTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the future role he plans for the common fisheries policy; and whether he will make it his policy to consider alternative ideas for the management of fish stocks after 1993.
§ Mr. CurryThe common fisheries policy was agreed in 1983 to last for at least 20 years with a mid-term review. The Government are wholly committed to the present framework. It provides a firm and clear basis for the allocation of fishing opportunities, and allowable catch levels take full account of scientific advice. At the same time it provides flexibility for the introduction of further 81W essential conservation and other measures. We intend to continue to develop and improve fisheries arrangements within the existing framework.