To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proposals his Department intends to make to increase appointments to, and the responsibilities of, the Community fisheries inspectorate.

Under the common fisheries policy, enforcement is a matter for individual member states. The United Kingdom has, however, always been in the forefront in supporting the need for an effective Community inspectorate to ensure that member states meet their responsibilities. In recent years, the powers of the inspectorate have been strengthened, and it has become a real force throughout the Community. The inspectorate's complement has also been increased and currently stands at 18.