FISHERIES COUNCIL

Early day motion 80, tabled 12 December 2000 by Patrick Nicholls (Conservative). Signed by 18 members.

That this House believes that the debate on the position to be taken by the Fisheries Minister at the meeting of the Fisheries Council in December is of vital importance to the fishing industry; notes that for this reason it has always been the practice to hold the debate on the floor of the House; notes that this year the debate was held instead in European Standing Committee A; notes with approval the assurance given by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food that he sympathised with the objections expressed by committee members that the debate was not taking place on the floor of the House; notes with the approval that the Parliamentary Secretary said he would convey to the Leader of the House the view of the committee that the debate in European Standing Committee A was no substitute for a debate on the floor of the House; and calls upon the Leader of the House to ensure that such a debate takes place early in the New Year.

Signatures by party: Liberal Democrat 10, Conservative 5, UUP 2, Scottish National Party 1.