HC Deb 06 March 1996 vol 273 c236W
Mr. Austin Mitchell

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will instruct the Director of the Marine Safety Agency(a) to meet the National Federation of Fishermen's Organisations and (b) to provide officials to assist the national federation's safety and training committee in respect of EEC regulations on health, hygiene, safety and medical stores. [18857]

Mr. Baldry

I met Viscount Goschen, the Department of Transport Minister responsible for the Marine Safety Agency, on 16 February, to discuss a number of issues that fishermen have raised with me. I know that he is aware of the needs of the fishing industry and we agreed to meet again soon. I also understand that the Marine Safety Agency has arranged a meeting with representatives of the fishermen's federations on 26 March to discuss the industry's concerns about a framework for future consultation.