§ Mrs. Iris RobinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much money was made available through the 2002 Northern Ireland fishing vessel decommissioning scheme; how many applications were received; how many successful applicants decommissioned their vessels; how many successful applicants declined decommissioning; how much of the available funding is left; and if he will allocate remaining funds to the original bidders who were unsuccessful in their application to the scheme. [97571]
§ Mr. PearsonThe information is as follows: (1) Under the Fishing Vessel Decommissioning Scheme (Northern Ireland) 2001 £5 million was made available for vessel decommissioning; 66 applications were received; 27 successful applicants have decommissioned their vessels and a further two successful applicants have accepted the offer of decommissioning grant; six successful applicants have declined decommissioning grant; and £0.6million of available funding is left.
(2) I have recently announced a new decommissioning scheme, whose terms and conditions will take account of those applying elsewhere in the United Kingdom. It is not my intention at this time to make any further offers under the existing scheme.