HC Deb 09 March 1994 vol 239 cc279-80W
Mr. Morley

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what are the terms of reference for the European Commission's commission of inquiry into fisheries; whether the inquiry will address the availability of food for sea birds; and if he will list the membership of the inquiry team.

Mr. Jack

At the December Fisheries Council the Commission to establish a working group, composed of marine ecologists and fisheries biologists, to study the implications for the marine ecosystem of fishing in general and of industrial fishing in particular. The group will set priorities for future research work on the effect these have on the marine ecosystem, sea birds and small cetaceans. The Commission is responsible for the membership of the group. We have asked the Commission to ensure that the working group takes account of the recent sea bird deaths in the North sea.