Mr. John D. TaylorTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the balance of Hague preference losses and gains in terms of fish quota accruing to the United Kingdom for each of the years 1955, 1994 and 1993.
§ Mr. JackThe overall balance was a net United Kingdom loss of 525 tonnes in 1993 and a loss of 1,285 tonnes in 1994. Figures for 1995 will depend on the agreement to be reached with Norway on total allowance catches for jointly managed stocks in the North sea. This agreement is due before the end of March 1995. The application of Hague preference before 1993 resulted in significant net gains for the United Kingdom.
Mr. John D. TaylorTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what are the losses of quota from the United Kingdom due to application of the Hague preference on fish stocks in the sector VII(a) of the Irish sea in 1995.
§ Mr. JackAs a result of the application of Hague preference in the Irish sea—area VII(a)—the United Kingdom's 1995 share of the quota allocation for cod, whiting and plaice was reduced by 2,210 tonnes.