§ Mr. WeirTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what discussions her Department had with the Scottish Executive prior to the decision of the European Commission to extend the area of fisheries restrictions to(a) Klondyke Bank, (b) North East Rough and (c) Coral Bank; [109142]
(2) what (a) discussions she had with and (b) representations she made to the European Commission prior to the extension of fisheries restrictions to the (i) Klondyke Bank, (ii) North East Rough and (iii) Coral Bank; [109190]
(3) what fishermen's organisations in Scotland were consulted by her Department prior to the decision by the European Commission to extend the area of fishing restrictions to (a) Klondyke Bank, (b) North East Rough and (c) Coral Bank. [109191]
§ Mr. Morley[holding answer 14 April 2003]: The Commission proposed the amendment to the derogated area in ICES areas IV and IIIa to ensure that the boundary of the area subject to the EU days at sea scheme was consistent with that of the closed area operating in the zone during 2001.
The Commission also proposed a series of other amendments, designed to clarify their original intentions and provide additional flexibility in operation and enforcement of the scheme. We and colleagues in the Scottish Executive considered the package on offer to be of considerable value to the UK and were keen that the new arrangements should apply as soon as possible. We were not therefore prepared to see implementation of the package delayed and thus voted in favour of it at the Agriculture and Fisheries Council on 8 April. The UK industry were consulted on the text, before the decision to agree it was taken.