§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the EC technical conservation measures he intends to support at the forthcoming EC Fisheries Council; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. GummerThe agenda has not yet been settled. My hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary intends to press for action in particular to improve the selectivity of nets to reduce discards of fish and improve the conservation of key fish stocks of interest to our fishermen.
§ Mr. David PorterTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) when he expects to make an interim assessment of the 1991 fishing catch restrictions; amd what comparison he will make of such an assessment with other EC countries;
(2) if he will make a statement on the work his Department is doing now in preparation for the 1992 plans to reduce fishing effort in advance of information on the effectiveness of the 1991 measures and in advance of the views of the European Commissioner.
§ Mr. CurryThe effects of the 1991 restrictions will be assessed by the advisory committee on fisheries management, which includes representatives of other member states, when it meets in November. Decisions on 1992 will not be taken until the Council of Ministers meets at the end of the year.