Mr. John D. TaylorTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what share of the costs of a decommissioning scheme for fishing vessels is provided by the European Community; if he will now introduce a decommissioning scheme; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. CurryThe Community's contribution to the cost of decommissioning is 70 per cent. or 50 per cent. depending on whether vessels are scrapped or disposed of in other ways. However the rules governing our payments to the EC budget mean that 73 per cent. of the Community contribution to any United Kingdom scheme would have to be met from public expenditure, which would also have to bear 30 per cent. or 50 per cent. of the cost. In the light of these figures I am concerned that a decommissioning scheme might not offer value for money, but I am ready to consider industry proposals provided they form part of a wider conservation package which will deliver effective curbs on effort directed against the stocks.