Written question asked by Owen Paterson (Conservative) on Tuesday, 20 January 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 28 January 2004. It was answered by Ben Bradshaw (Labour) on Wednesday, 28 January 2004 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment has been made of the economic impact of including steaming time in the days at sea allowance on the fishing ports of North East England; what the reason is for including steaming time in the days at sea allowance. - Inc figure.

Answer: Mr. Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what assessment has been made of the economic impact of including steaming time in the days at sea allowance on the fishing ports of north east England; [150318] (2) what the reason is for including steaming time in the days at sea allowance. [150325] Mr. Bradshaw: The time at sea limits in 2003 provided for a separate allowance of days for steaming to and from the fishing grounds, for vessels using gear of over 100 mm mesh. No separate allowance exists for 2004, because the calculation of days at sea for 2004 takes account of the fleet's time at sea in the base period, including its steaming time. The permitted number of days for the vessels using over 100 mm mesh gear is 15 per month for 2004, the same total as in 2003.

Secondary information