HC Deb 28 March 2000 vol 347 cc80-1W
Dr. Cable

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will state(a) the number and percentage of staff in his Department who are over the age of (i) 45 years and (ii) 55 years and (b) the average age of his staff. [115409]

Mr. Morley

At the end of 1999 the numbers and percentage of staff aged over 45 years and 55 years and the average age of staff in my Department and its Agencies was as follows:

Mr. Morley

Under the revised EU Technical Conservation Regulation which came into effect on 1 January this year, Minimum Landing Sizes for brill, dab, witch, flounder, turbot and lemon sole were ended. Some fishermen's organisations have asked for their restoration. We are currently considering this with the industry in the UK Fisheries Conservation Group.

I have made clear that, if the industry so wishes, I would be prepared to reinstate some or all of these Minimum Landing Sizes on a national basis and seek to persuade the EU to restore them.

It is too early to assess the impact of the changes in the EU rules.