§ Mr. FraserTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the current registered size of the UK(a) coastal and (b) deep water fishing fleet; and what was it in (i) 1993 and (ii) 1988. [39890]
§ Mr. MorleyThe available information is given in the table. The information for 1988 was collected and compiled on a different basis from that for 1993 and 1998 and the figures are therefore not directly comparable.
The registered tonnages comprise measurements partly as Gross Registered Tonnage (GRT) and partly as Gross Tonnage (GT or according International Tonnage Convention 1969). For the same vessel, these measures can differ significantly. Further information can be found in "UK Sea Fisheries Statistics 1996" published by HMSO, a copy of which is in the Library.
Book, and (b) the Sheep and Goats on Farm Movement Book and gave as their reason for not filling in the specified forms the difficulty of obtaining them. [39719]
§ Mr. RookerThe Sheep and Goats (Records, Identification and Movement) Order 1996, among other things, lays down the requirements for recording flock numbers and animal movements which producers must follow in order to receive Sheep Annual Premium. The Order specifies the information that must be recorded but not the precise format. Full details, including recommended formats, are given in a booklet 'Sheep and Goat Identification, Records and Movement—A Guide to the Legal Requirements' which was distributed to sheep farmers early in 1996. In addition, a recommended format is reproduced in the Notes for Guidance on the Sheep Annual Premium Scheme which are distributed with the claim form each year to all known producers.
161WThe Sheep Annual Premium Scheme Record Flock Book and the Sheep and Goats on Farm Movement Book referred to in these questions are not produced by the Government.
In England, eighty three 1997 Sheep Annual Premium claims (involving one hundred and seven producers) were not paid because of irregularities which included inadequate records to support the claim. The total value of these claims is estimated as £235,000. All of the claimants would have received copies of the suggested format for a combined Sheep on Farm Movement and Flock Record annexed to the Notes for Guidance with their claim forms.