WA 23
Written Answers
[30 NOVEMBER 1993]
Written Answers
WA 24
Written Answers
Tuesday, 30th November 1993
EAST TIMOR: MILITARY ATTACHES' VISIT
Lord Avebury asked Her Majesty's Government:
What was the purpose of the three-day visit to East Timor from 1st to 3rd November by military attachés from a number of foreign embassies in Jakarta including Britain, and by whom was it arranged; what places they visited, and what opportunities the attachés had of discussions with East Timorese in private, if any.
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Chalker of Wallasey): The visit to East Timor at the beginning of November by defence attachés accredited in Jakarta was organised by the Indonesian Defence Ministry as the latest in a regular series of attachés visits to outlying areas. As well as Dili, the attachés visited irrigation and resettlement projects at Seisal and Hera respectively, and the cemetery at Santa Cruz. There was opportunity for private discussion with East Timorese, but the attachés briefly met Xanana Gusmao's former political adviser Mauhunu, and his former operations officer, Mahudu.
CHINA: ALLEGED COERCIVE ABORTION
no
Lord Braine Of Wheatley asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will arrange for officials at the British Embassy in Washington to meet with Congressman Chris Smith to discuss the evidence he presented to the United States Congress on 16th June 1993 concerning coercive abortion in China and the participation of the United Nations in the Chinese population control programme.
Baroness Chalker of Wallasey: Officials at the British Embassy will ask for copies of the reports to which the noble Lord refers.
SALMON AND SEA TROUT NET LICENCES
Lord Moran asked Her Majesty's Government:
How many licences to fish by net for salmon and sea trout were issued in 1993 in each of the National Rivers Authority's regions; and what were the total recorded catches of salmon and sea trout by drift net in each of those regions in 1992 and 1993.
The Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Earl Howe): Provisional information on the number of net licences issued by the National Rivers Authority (NRA) in each of its 10 regions in 1993 entitling holders to fish for salmon and migratory trout is given in Table 1 below.
The total recorded catches of salmon and sea trout by drift net in each of the 10 regions in 1992 are given in table 2 below. Catch data for 1993 are still being compiled.
12 LW76/1 Job 1-1
Table 1
Number of net licences issued by the NRA in 1993 which entitle holders to fish for salmon and migratory trout (provisional figures)
NRA region
Northumbria
Yorkshire
Anglian
Thames Southern
Wessex
Southh West
Severn Trent
Welsh
North West
Number
109
42
93
0
2
12
99
65
105
229
Note: These figures include licences issued for all commercial fishing instruments, including fixed nets, hand nets and traps.
Table 2
Recorded catches of salmon and migratory trout by drift net by NRA region in 1992
Salmon
1
NRA region
Northumbria Yorkshire Anglian1
Sea trout
16,362 1,212
14,617 2,859
Thames
Southern
Wessex
South West
224
33
Severn-Trent
Welsh2
1,378
819
North West
1,424
332
Total
20,600
18,660
Anglian catches are not available by method of capture.
2 Welsh data include catches by drift, trammel, sling and coracle nets.
FISHERY PRODUCTS: PROPOSED EC REGULATION
Lord Bruce of Donington asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether, with regard to the provisions of the proposal for a Council regulation concerning fishery products (COM (93) 343 final), they are satisfied that all the member states to which the proposals apply have at each port of landing in their respective territories sufficient qualified personnel to undertake the tasks of "the competent authorities” in Article 4 of the proposal.
Earl Howe: The proposal for a Council regulation concerning fishery products (COM (93) 343 final) is still subject to detailed examination by member states. The UK is seeking to ensure that any measures finally agreed are practicable and enforceable by member states.
WINE SECTOR SUPPORT: COMPLIANCE WITH
EC REGULATION
Lord Bruce of Donington asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they are satisfied that all member states to whom Council Regulation (EEC) 359/79 (statistical surveys of certain vine growing areas)
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