§ Mr. WallaceTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he proposes any measures to ensure proper access to training and retraining facilities for those choosing to leave the fishing industry; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir Hector Monro[holding answer 4 June 1992]: At present Scottish Enterprise and several of its enterprise companies are actively engaged with representatives of the 49W fishing industry, its companies and local authorities to plan for the future needs of fishermen. The implications of reduced fishing activities in fisheries dependent areas are currently being addressed within the European Community, both as part of the common fisheries policy mid-term review and as part of the reform structural funds. Work is currently being undertaken by the European Commmission to identify dependent areas and possible measures to retrain and reorientate fishermen leaving the industry into other economic activities. The Government will give careful consideration to the results which emerge from these studies.