To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the answer of 21 November 2007, Official Report, column 865W, on fisheries: quotas, whether the quota management change programme remains in existence following the Scottish Executive's withdrawal from it; and if he will make a statement.

The formal withdrawal by the Scottish Executive from the quota management change programme (QMCP) in September 2007 effectively brought about the end to this process.

DEFRA is considering the options on how best to take forward work on quota reform. This work will be done in close partnership with the devolved Administrations and in consultation with the industry. It will also need to be considered in the context of the common fisheries policy (CFP) reform agenda.