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· 17
26. One feature of the current arrangements for the
registration of fishing vessels to which some owners attach
importance particularly in Scotland is the personal contact
available with registrars at ports of registry. They said,
in the previous round of consultations, that this contact
ensures them a fast and reliable registration service and
enables expert advice to be obtained from registrars when
necessary. The Government believes that a central register
including fishing vessels can operate as quickly and reliably,
as the present system, and at less cost to the taxpayer.
Nevertheless the Department of Transport will co-operate closely
with the Fisheries Departments and Fishermen's organisations to
ensure that the new system is adapted to meet the requirements
of fishing boat owners as far as possible. In Scotland the
Fisheries Inspectorate of the Department of Agriculture and
Fisheries will be prepared to help fishermen with registration
applications in any case of serious difficulty. Arrangements
will continue to be made throughout the country for officials
to measure fishing vessels for tonnage and to certify the
marking of vessels.
VI
THE UNITED KINGDOM AND DEPENDENT TERRITORIES
A NEW FRAMEWORK FOR THE BRITISH SHIP REGISTER
The present position
27.
Under the 1894 Act all ports of registry in the UK
and British possessions have the same status. They can register
any size or type of ship, provided that it meets the ownership
qualifications, namely that it is owned by British subjects
....