HC Deb 13 July 1993 vol 228 cc457-8W
Mr. Austin Mitchell

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many Spanish vessels, British and Spanish registered, have been found by United Kingdom to have secret fish holds in each year since 1991; and how many have been prosecuted.

Mr. Jack

There have been no prosecutions, but legislation is being brought forward shortly to provide for the prosecution of the owners or skippers of vessels over 17 m which fail to carry plans of their rooms. Three vessels, two Spanish-owned but British registered and one Spanish registered, have been found to have secret fish rooms since 1991.