Fishing And Boatbuilding

EDM number 873 in 1993-94, proposed by Alex Salmond on 16/03/1994.

That this House notes with concern that of ú500 million in structural assistance to the European Fishing Industry in the period 1987 to 1992 a mere ú11 million was allocated to the United Kingdom as a result of the non-participation in decommissioning, lay up and new build schemes over that period; notes the decline in the United Kingdom fishing boatbuilding industry over that same period to its present state of six remaining Scottish yards only two of which are actively engaged in fishing build and also the increase in the average age of the fishing fleet with the consequent concerns over safety at sea; recalls the pledge by the present Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food that she would not allow the United Kingdom industry to be disadvantaged relative to those of the other member states; notes that the new structural regulations require a sectoral plan to be submitted to the European Commission by the Government by the end of March 1994; and demands that this submission includes the facility for proper support for investment in new build in the fishing industry on a level equivalent to that of the United Kingdom's European partners.

This motion has been signed by a total of 14 MPs.