HC Deb 22 March 1995 vol 257 c230W
Mr. Harvey

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many fisheries protection staff speak more than one of the officially recognised European Union languages.

Mr. Jack

Twenty-eight fisheries inspectors employed by the UK fisheries department have a working knowledge of more than one European Union language and a further 20 have basic communication skills. Similar information in relation to British sea-fishery officers of the Royal Navys fishery protection squadron is not readily available. All UK fishery protection vessels engaged in inspecting foreign vessels carry language cards for boarding purposes.