asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will improve the degree of fisheries protection against foreign vessels in the 12-mile limit off the United Kingdom's South-West Coast.

As in previous winters, we are maintaining a special fishery protection effort off the South-West in connection with the mackerel fishery. Up to three fishery protection vessels are being used, together with aerial surveillance, to police the area, including the 12-miles line.