§ Mr. SandersTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many licences were granted for bass fisheries in south west waters in(a) 2000, (b) 2001 and (c) 2002; and how many have been granted for 2003. [87494]
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§ Mr. MorleySeparate licences are not issued for bass. It may be caught and landed by any fishing vessel with a Category A, B or C licence, subject to compliance with the catch restrictions set out in the licence. There are some 1,200 vessels with such licences currently based in the south west.
§ Ann WintertonTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what(a) the total number of days at sea and (b) the total kilowatts of engine power was for vessels over 10 metres in length targeting (i) cod, haddock and whiting, (ii) plaice and sole, (iii) hake, (iv) megrim and anglerfish and (v) sand eel and Norway pout in (A) North Sea, (B) West Scotland (C) Irish Sea and (D) ICES sub-area VII in (1) 1998, (2) 1999 and (3) 2000. [87808]
§ Mr. MorleyThe information requested is not readily available and can only be produced through the compilation of data held separately on computer systems operated by UK fisheries departments. As such an answer at the current time could be obtained only at inappropriate cost and effort. However, a separate larger exercise is currently being carried out to combine these sets of information, which will allow an answer to be provided by mid-January 2003.
§ Ann WintertonTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will invite the Fishermen's Association Ltd. to participate in future discussions on fisheries. [87809]
§ Mr. MorleyThe European Commission proposed that, under the current review of the Common Fisheries Policy, new Regional Advisory Councils will set up to advise on fisheries issues. It is too early to say who will be represented on these bodies.