HC Deb 05 March 1993 vol 220 cc365-6W
Mr. Kirkwood

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to meet representatives of the Scottish inshore fleet to discuss the problems resulting from undisclosed landings of white fish; and if he will make a statement.

Sir Hector Monro

[holding answer 1 March 1993]: My right hon. Friend has no plans at present to meet with representatives of the Scottish inshore fleet to discuss undisclosed landings of white fish.

Mr. Kirkwood

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he is taking to control undeclared landings of white fish at east coast ports in breach of vessels' quotas; and if he will make a statement.

Sir Hector Monro

[holding answer 1 March 1993]: The Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency devotes substantial resources to detecting and preventing undeclared landings. There are regular out of hours patrols by fishery officers and fishery protection vessels are deployed to patrol harbours where there is a risk of undeclared landings.

Mr. Kirkwood

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what powers are available to him to deal with white fish landings which are undisclosed for quota purposes; and how many times those powers have been used in the last two years for which figures are available.

Sir Hector Monro

[holding answer 1 March 1993]: Vessels which fail to declare landings of white fish may be in breach of European Community regulations requiring the master of a vessel to submit to the authorities documents on the vessel's fishing activity and the catch landed. Failure to submit such documentation may lead to the imposition of a fine not exceeding £2,000. Masters of vessels will normally supply the necessary documentation when a landing is detected by the authorities. There has been one successful prosecution in the last two years.

Mr. Kirkwood

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what research is being undertaken by his Department to investigate the extent of undisclosed white fish landings; and if he will make a statement.

Sir Hector Monro

[holding answer 1 March 1993]: There is no reliable source of information on the overall extent of undisclosed white fish landings. My Department's main priority is to take action to detect and prevent attempted clandestine landings and, where appropriate, to report cases to the prosecuting authorities.