[Albert Owen in the Chair] — Backbench Business — Fisheries

Part of the debate – in Westminster Hall at 3:30 pm on 2 December 2010.

Alert me about debates like this

Photo of Andrew George Andrew George Liberal Democrat, St Ives 3:30, 2 December 2010

I should not need to congratulate Dr Whiteford on having made the case for securing this important debate because, as has been said, we should, by rights, have had this debate in the main Chamber.

At this stage, I need to apologise, Mr Owen-I apologised to the Minister in advance-and explain that the timing of the debate, which is taking place on a Thursday afternoon, is particularly challenging for many MPs from far-flung constituencies, where fishing primarily takes place, and that because of the transport problems that I shall encounter in getting to the far west of Cornwall this evening, I may have to leave just before the debate concludes. In view of that, I will do my utmost to keep my remarks brief.

On top of the excellent points made by my honourable colleague Sheryll Murray about issues affecting our region, I want to make a number of other points. The Minister is aware of them because I sent him a note to give him notice. First, I simply want to embellish and emphasise my honourable colleague's point about the swapping of the mackerel hand-line quota during the autumn of this year. This is one of the most productive times of the year for mackerel hand-liners.