§ Mr. David PorterTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he has taken to ensure that the United Kingdom fishing industry will be competing on equal terms with all other EC member states after 1993; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. CurryEver since we negotiated the common fisheries policy in 1983, when we secured 37.3 per cent. of the quotas for the seven main edible species and very restricted access for other member states vessels to our coastal waters, a package which was acknowledged as a good one by our industry, we have consistently defended the position of our industry. As recently as the last December Fisheries Council we again secured a good package of fishing opportunities including additional38W quantities through the Hague preference and also a greater flexibility to catch western mackerel east of the 4°W line. We will continue to work to secure good arrangements.