§ Mr. WatersonTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the current operation of the EC-sponsored scheme to reduce the number of United Kingdom fishing vessels. [16505]
§ Mr. MorleyThe Fishing Vessels (Decommissioning) Scheme 1997 has now been approved by Parliament. We are currently assessing the 203 bids made under this Scheme and I expect to announce the results very shortly.