To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what information his Department has on the average number of employees per vessel in the Scottish fish catching sector by Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food category vessel size bands.

The average number of crew on fishing vessels based in Scotland is as follows:

Registered length of vessel	Average number of crew
Under 10 metres	2
10 metres to 39·9 ft	2
40 ft to 59·9 ft	4
60 ft to 79·9 ft	7
80 ft to 109·9 ft	10
110 ft and over	12

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what information his Department has on the average earnings of employees in the Scottish fish catching sector by salary grade.

My Department conducts an annual survey of the costs and earnings of the Scottish fishing fleet, and this provides guidance on average crews' shares. The traditional share system of crews' remuneration in Scotland does not, however, distinguish between grades.The latest sample relates to 1989. Provisional results are as follows:

Vessel length	Number in sample	Annual average share per fisherman £
40 ft—59·9 ft	32	9,510
60 ft—69·9 ft	31	11,110
70 ft—79·9 ft	30	13,980
Over 80 ft	20	19,900

Senior crew members (for example skippers who do not own their vessel and mates) may receive an additional part share. This is normally financed from the share allocated to the boat. Arrangements vary from vessel to vessel and details are not available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what information his Department has on the average earnings of employees in the Scottish fish catching sector by (a) region and (b) Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food category vessel size bands.

Information on average earnings by region is not available. Earnings by vessel size bands were given in my earlier answer of today to the hon. Member.