To ask the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the representations he has had about his proposals for bass fishing; how many fishery protection offices are responsible for the Channel; and if he will list the number of prosecutions for undersize bass and the level of fines imposed.

We have received over 100 representations on the proposals for the management of the bass fishery published on 29 February.The Ministry's Sea Fisheries Inspectorate, which undertakes a wide range of duties, has 25 officers operating from nine offices situated along the Channel coast. Since the introduction of the Community minimum landing size of 32cm. in January 1987 there have been no prosecutions by the Ministry for landing undersize bass, but one case is pending.