§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) how many United Kingdom trawler captains have been successfully prosecuted during the last 12 months for landing illegal catches of fish at United Kingdom ports and harbours;
(2) how many United Kingdom trawler captains have cases awaiting to be dealt with by the courts for landing illegal catches of fish at United Kingdom ports and harbours.
§ Mr. CurryNinety-one United Kingdom fishing skippers have been successfully prosecuted during 1991 for offences against fisheries legislation; 153 cases are waiting to be dealt with by the courts. Information on how many of these convictions and pending cases result from the landing of illegal catches is not readily available.
§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what precautions he is taking to prevent United Kingdom trawler fishermen from landing illegal catches at United Kingdom ports and harbours.
§ Mr. CurryEnforcement of national and community fisheries legislation is carried out by the sea fisheries inspectorates of the Fisheries Departments in co-operation with patrol ships of the Royal Navy and the Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency and surveillance aircraft. The United Kingdom control and inspection procedures are acknowledged to be among the best in the Community.