§ Mr. SteenTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many(a) beam trawlers and (b) other fishing vessels have been decommissioned in each of the last three years (i) nationally and (ii) in Brixham, south Devon; and how many fishing vessels he expects to be decommissioned in 1997. [1069]
§ Mr. BaldryA total of 436 vessels were decommissioned under the 1993, 1994 and 1995 decommissioning schemes. Eighteen of these were beam trawlers. Fourteen vessels with Brixham as their administrative port have been decommissioned, none of which was a beam trawler. Definitive results for the 1996 scheme are not yet available as applicants have until 30 November to decommission their vessels. Decommissioning is an entirely voluntary scheme and I am unable to estimate the number of vessels which might be decommissioned under the 1997 scheme.
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