§ Mr. David PorterTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement about the procedures followed for awarding the contract to build ESF Protector 3 for the Eastern sea fisheries joint committee; and what opportunities were provided for shipbuilders in the area which the new vessel will serve to compete on an equal footing with other contenders.
§ Mr. CurryExpenditure by the Eastern sea fisheries committee is the responsibility of the committee and its financing local authority. The committee has sought European Community funding for the vessel and we are satisfied it has followed the tender procedure required under EC rules.