Fishery Protection Vessels

HC Deb 01 June 1998 vol 313 cc106-7W

Mr. Gill

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Spanish naval personnel or Spanish fishery officers have been aboard British fishery protection vessels in each year between 1993 and 1997; which vessels were involved; and what were the dates and the duration of those visits. [43873]

Dr. Reid

There has been no formal exchange of naval personnel between the Spanish Navy and vessels of the RN Fishery Protection Squadron. No records are kept of Spanish naval personnel who may have visited ships during port visits. It is however known that at least three members of the Spanish Navy were on board HMS Guernsey at various times during her visit to Vigo in 1997.

My department does not hold records which would show the nationality of EU fisheries inspectors embarked on vessels of the RN Fisheries Protection Squadron.

The Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency operates its own fishery protection vessels for which the Secretary of State for Scotland is responsible. Since April 1997 these have had exclusive responsibility for fishery protection duties in Scottish waters.