§ Mr. SteenTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much subsidy has been given to Spain in each of the last three years from the European Community for fishing; and what is the forecast of funding to Spain for each of the next three years. [24681]
§ Mr. Jack[holding answer 17 May 1995]: Prior to 1994, European Community aid to the fishing industry was financed under both the guidance and guarantee sections of the budget. Figures for 1992 and 1993 in the table relate only to certain parts fisheries guidance expenditure—these were extracted from the European Court of Auditor's annual report, a copy of which is available in the Library of the House. Those for guarantee expenditure are set out in reply to my hon. Friend's related question about subsidies to Spanish agriculture.
From 1994 onwards, the financial instrument for fisheries guidance came into force, amalgamating the various fisheries structures and marketing and processing regulations. The figures in the table for the years 1994–1998 show the amount of Community funding available for the fishery investment set out in the relevant Spanish programmes for objectives 1 and 5a.
In addition, Spain is eligible to benefit from certain payments relating to third country fishery agreements, although we do not currently have detailed information about the allocation between member states.
Elements of European Community financial assistance to the Spanish fishing industry (fisheries guidance only) Year Mecu £m 19921 11.20 7.93 19931 12.80 10.06 1994 154.13 119.07 1995 165.28 133.41 1996 175.92 146.11 1997 186.92 155.25 1998 201.64 167.48 1 Figures exclude fisheries guidance expenditure on redeployment, adaption and modernisation of fishing vessels, and restructuring of small scale fishing as well as fish marketing and processing awards under EC regulation 355/77, the majority of which were paid prior to 1994 and financed under the agriculture guidance fund.