§ Mr. SpearingTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what sums are being made available for decommissioning of inshore or medium distance 321W fishing vessels in the years 1995–96 and 1996–97; what conditions are placed on the disposal or future use of craft where hulls are of (a) wooden and (b) metal construction; and what is the legislative basis for paying these sums. [37321]
§ Mr. BoswellSome £12 million pounds is available for decommissioning in 1995–96 under the Fishing Vessels (Decommissioning) Scheme 1995. The scheme applies to vessels over 10 m in length. A further £12 million will be available in 1996–97 under a scheme to be laid in due course.
Grant is paid for the surrender of all licences issued in respect of a vessel by fisheries departments and for the vessel to be rendered permanently unseaworthy. The majority of vessels have been scrapped, although a limited number have been presented to museums and other charitable institutions after the above conditions have been met. No distinction is made in respect of the material of construction.
Copies of the application form and explanatory leaflet for the 1995 scheme, which set out in full the conditions for disposal of vessels, have been placed in the Library of the House.