HC Deb 23 May 1995 vol 260 cc507-8W
Mr. Austin Mitchell

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food why Irish vessels currently enjoy fishing rights off Spitzbergen. [25383]

Mr. Jack

For 1995 the European Union has a cod quota of 24,220 tonnes at Spitzbergen and Bear island. In accordance with the traditional allocation key, Council Regulation 3362/94 divides this between the member states as follows:

Tonnes
France 2,130
Germany 4,820
Portugal 2,390
Spain 11,500
United Kingdom 3,130
Other member states except France, Germany, Portugal, Spain, United Kingdom, Finland and Sweden 250

Mr. Austin Mitchell

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what red fish quotas were offered in Iceland waters in 1994 and 1995 to(a) Britain and (b) Germany; which British firms were offered catches there by his Ministry; and whether they took up the offer. [25384]

Mr. Jack

Germany and the United Kingdom were allocated quotas for respectively 1690 tonnes and 1160 tonnes of red fish in Icelandic waters for both 1994 and 1995. The Fish Producers Organisation of Grimsby was offered the UK quota for 1994 but did not take up the opportunity. For 1995 the United Kingdom quota has not yet been allocated; it is not available before 1 July each year.