Mr. John D. TaylorTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether fishing boats are required to carry a ladder to facilitate inspection by fisheries protection personnel; whether there is a directive by the European Commission about the provision of ladders on fishing boats; and in which European Community countries the provision of a ladder on a boat is a legal requirement.
§ Mr. CurryCommission regulation 1382/87 requires the provision of boarding ladders on fishing vessels to 125W facilitate inspection by fisheries protection personnel. The regulation applies to vessels of all member states, and the Government are currently taking steps to incorporate the requirement into domestic legislation.