§ Mr. SteenTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he plans to take to sustain the present level of fishing effort in the period before the determination of the quota-hopping issue. [8958]
§ Mr. BaldryDiscussions are still taking place in the Fisheries Council on the need for reductions in fishing effort following the expiry of the current multi-annual guidance programme at the end of this year. We are also continuing to press for treaty changes in the intergovernmental conference to deal with the problem of quota hoppers. I have, however, made it clear that I am not prepared to contemplate any further compulsory capacity or effort controls on UK fishermen while these issues remain unresolved.