§ Mr. MerchantTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what provision he has made to decommission fishing vessels in 1996; and if he will make a statement. [29215]
§ Mr. BaldryI have laid before the House the fishing vessel decommissioning scheme 1996 which comes into force today. We want decommissioning to provide real long-term benefits to the fishing industry. By reducing pressure on fish stocks, the scheme can help conservation and improve fishing prospects for the future. To this end, we must ensure that expenditure is effective and provides good value for money.
We have determined the criteria to be used in the 1996 decommissioning scheme in the light of comments from the industry on our recent consultation paper and the cumulative value for public money obtained from the schemes so far and changes in the structure fo the fleet. The 1996 scheme will be opened up to more vessels on improved terms which take account of the comments made by the industry itself.
Key changes being made are:
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- a reduction to 75 qualifying days fishing in each of the two previous years;
- the removal of the current restriction on licence type;
- the extension of eligibility to the nephrops and distant water segments.
- the possibility of allowing historic decommissioned vessels to remain afloat if donated to a registered museum.
Some £13 million is now available for decommissioning this year and, as in the 1995 scheme, provision is made to cover the possibility of more than one round of decommissioning during the year. Decisions on the amount to be spent and the number of tenders will take account of value for money represented by the bids received.
Other criteria for the 1996 scheme are similar to the 1995 scheme. The deadline for receipt of grant applications is 25 June 1996.