§ Lord Dixon-Smithasked Her Majesty's Government:
When they intend to report to Parliament on the implementation of the Sea Fish (Conservation) Act as required by Section 10.
Lord LucasThe primary purpose of the Sea Fish (Conservation) Act 1992 was to make provision for the introduction of restrictions on time spent at sea implementing legislation in the form of the Sea Fish Licences (Time at Sea) (Principles) Order 1993 was introduced but the policy was subsequently suspended following a legal challenge which was referred to the European Court of Justice.
Despite the European Court's endorsement of the legality of measures adopted by this House, it was decided it would not be sensible to implement the planned arrangements for the days at sea policy for the reasons set out in the reply given by my honourable friend the Minister of State for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to the honourable Member for Great Grimsby on 25 October 1995 (Official Report, col. 711–2).
In these circumstances there is nothing of substance to report and we do not propose to make any further reports to Parliament on this matter.