§ Mr. SteenTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what sum the Government contribute as part of the European Community's fishing vessel decommissioning grant; what percentage this figure represents of the overall grant; and what are the contributions of other member states.
§ Mr. CurryThe decommissioning scheme which my right hon. Friend announced on 27 February is expected to cost £25 million. Council regulation 4028/86, as amended, provides for 50 per cent. of this to be reimbursed by the Community—70 per cent. if vessels are scrapped—but operation of the Community budget means that the greater part of any such reimbursement is funded by the Exchequer.