§ Mr. SproatTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much notice was given to Harwich fishermen using vessels of 10 m and over of the prohibition, as from midnight of 17 November, on their catching any more sole, cod or spratts, for the rest of the month; what will happen, and for what size of vessels, in this respect in December 1992 and in January 1993; what length of notice he usually gives to fishermen on such occasions; and whether he is satisfied with the way in which Harwich fishermen were informed of the prohibition.
§ Mr. CurryUnited Kingdom quotas are divided between various industry groups in accordance with a methodology agreed with the industry. In order to ensure that fish landed do not exceed the United Kingdom quota allocations, and other groups are not prejudiced, when it becomes clear that a group's allocation of any stock has been exhausted, Departments close the fishery to that group. It became clear to Departments on Monday 16 November that these closures would be necessary. Immediate action was set in train to issue licence variations suspending fishing from midnight on 17 November for these stocks until the end of 1992 by over 10 m boats. Those variations were despatched by the Department to Harwich fishermen on Wednesday 18 November. It is the Department's normal practice to notify fishermen of such changes as soon as practicable given the circumstances relating to a particular closure. Because fisheries are not closed until it is absolutely necessary to do so, it is not possible to give advance warning of such closures in every case. I am satisfied that given the circumstances Harwich fishermen were informed properly of these closures. So far as January 1993 is concerned, the current licences issued to fishermen are valid for the 1992 calendar year. New licences and new quota management arrangements will be in place for the 1993 calendar year, and fishermen will be notified in due course of the arrangements which will pertain to that year.