HC Deb 12 February 1997 vol 290 cc198-9W
Mr. Austin Mitchell

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if he will list those countries which benefit from the EU fisheries agreements with third countries, including their respective share of such agreements by weight of catch and value; [14828]

(2) what share of EU fisheries agreements with third countries has been appointed to the United Kingdom in each year since 1986; [14829]

(3) if he will list those third party countries which have fisheries agreements with the European Union. [14832]

Mr. Baldry

Much of this information is not available in the form requested and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. I refer the hon. Member to the answers that I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for South Hams (Mr. Steen) on 28 October and 7 November 1996,Official Report, columns 52 and 660 respectively, which provided details of current fisheries agreements between the European Community and third countries.

Mr. Mitchell

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the United Kingdom contribution in(a) sterling and (b) percentage terms to the cost of EU fisheries agreements with third countries for each year since 1986; [14830]

(2) what was the cost in sterling of the EU fisheries agreements with third countries in each year since 1986. [14831]

Mr. Baldry

Details of the cost to the EU budget of fisheries agreements with third countries are given in the table.

Cost of EU fisheries agreements with third countries
ECU (million) £ (million)
1986 55.6 36.0
1987 81.9 58.9
1988 139.5 94.6
1989 161.5 105.7
1990 173.0 122.8
1991 171.4 119.9
1992 195.6 138.4
1993 188.9 148.5
1994 140.6 107.7
1995 158.1 127.7
19961 270.0 226.7
1 Budget appropriation. Final outturn expenditure figures not yet available.

Source:

EU budget documents 1988–1996.

Exchange rates used

  • 1986: 1 ecu = £0.64785
  • 1987: 1 ecu = £0.71932
  • 1988: 1 ecu = £0.67834
  • 1989: 1 ecu = £0.65474
  • 1990: 1 ecu = £0.70995
  • 1991: 1 ecu = £0.69973
  • 1992: 1 ecu = £0.70765
  • 1993: 1 ecu = £0.78627
  • 1994: 1 ecu = £0.76626
  • 1995: 1 ecu = £0.80792
  • 1996: 1 ecu = £0.83991

The United Kingdom contributes to the EU budget as a whole and it is not therefore possible to identify separately the UK contribution to EU fisheries agreements with third countries. Details of UK contributions can be found in the annual White Paper statements on the EU budget. In 1996, the UK's gross contribution to the budget was about 15 per cent. of the total.

Mr. Mitchell

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will support the recommendations of the House of Lords Select Committee on the European Communities in its Third report of Session 1996–97 on third country fisheries agreements, HL 28, that the recipients of EU fisheries agreements with third countries should pay a greater share of the cost of such agreements. [14833]

Mr. Baldry

The Government welcome this timely and balanced report and will provide a full and considered response in due course. I made it clear in my oral evidence to the sub-committee that I consider it reasonable that those fishermen and member states benefitting from fisheries agreements with third countries should contribute a greater share of the costs.