§ Mr. Austin MitchellTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is Britain's contribution to the £200 million compensation to be paid by the European Union to Spanish fishermen for loss of fishing opportunities in Moroccan waters. [40603]
§ Mr. BaldryOn 26 October, the Council of Ministers unanimously agreed that payments should be made to Spanish and Portuguese fishermen who had been unable to fish following the early termination of the EU/Morocco fisheries agreement at the end of April 1995. This was an exceptional measure applying for a limited period. The maximum cost to the Community budget will be 24 mecu, £19.9 million. The cost will be less if the fishermen concerned are able to resume fishing before the end of December. In either event, the cost will be funded from within the existing Community budget for 1995. The United Kingdom's net contribution to the Community budget for this item will be around 5 per cent. after taking account of the Fontainebleau abatement.
§ Mr. MitchellTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much compensation has been paid by the European Union to British fishermen for damage to vessels or nets by Spanish fishing vessels. [40602]
§ Mr. BaldryPayments are not available from the Community budget to compensate the fishermen of one member state for damage done to their vessels or nets by the fishermen of another member state.