asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how much money has been paid to vessel owners in Scotland under the Fishing Vessels (Temporary Financial) Assistance Scheme 1982; and how many applications for this aid are presently outstanding.

Payable orders amounting to £6,423,850 have been issued in respect of 1,302 fishing vessels based in Scotland. A further 153 applications have been approved and payable orders for £360,850 are being issued. There are only 44 applications currently awaiting approval. On the basis of the 1981 scheme, approximately 200 more claims are expected. The total sum likely to be paid out for vessels based in Scotland is about £7·5 million.