§ Mr. FoulkesTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to meet the Scottish Fishermen's Federation to discuss the effect of the abandoning of offshore oil and gas installations on the fishing industry. [28988]
316W
§ Sir Hector MonroI have been asked to reply.
Scottish Office Agriculture and Fisheries Department officials have liaised closely with the Scottish Fishermen's Federation on abandonment policy prior to and since the federation submitted its view to the Government's Abandonment Policy Review Committee. I have no plans to meet the federation to discuss this matter.
§ Mr. FoulkesTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what monitoring his Department intends to undertake on the effect on the Scottish fishing industry of the abandonment of offshore oil and gas installations. [28986]
§ Sir Hector MonroI have been asked to reply.
The possible impact of abandoned offshore oil and gas installations on the marine environment or on the fishing industry is considered fully as part of the Government's assessment of each abandonment plan. That is described in the Government's Abandonment Policy Review Committee's recent "Guidance Notes for Industry". The monitoring requirements of each abandonment will be specified in the abandonment plan, as necessary.