Written question asked by Lord Berkeley (Labour), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Drayson (Labour) on Thursday, 25 October 2007.

Fishing: Navy Protection

Question: asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether Royal Navy ships undertake fisheries protection duties in the territorial waters of (a) France; (b) the Republic of Ireland; or (c) the Netherlands; and what is the cost of any such patrolling of these foreign waters, and what charges are levied for this service on the Governments concerned.

Answer: The Royal Navy has not undertaken fisheries protection duties in the territorial waters of France, Ireland or the Netherlands. However, France has granted permission to other states, including the UK, to operate in French territorial waters subject to agreed procedures. Outside territorial waters, the Marine and Fisheries Agency works with the Community Fisheries Control Agency and other member states in exercising joint deployment plans as required under fisheries regulations, as well as some other joint operations with other member states based on intelligence and need. These operations are often conducted with a vessel of the other state as well as Royal Navy fishery protection vessels and include exchanges of personnel. The costs of these patrols are not separately identified and no charges are levied.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 5450; 695 c127WA
Session: 2006-07
Subjects: Costs Deployment Fees and charges Fisheries France Protection Navy Republic of Ireland Territorial waters Netherlands
Contains statistics: Yes
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk