To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what effect the reduction in the funding to the Marine and Fisheries Agency from 2007-08 to 2008-09 had on discussions over the changes made to the new contract effective from 1 April 2008 with the Royal Navy on the number of Fishery Protection Squadron patrol days to be provided; and if he will make a statement. (190942)

The Marine and Fisheries Agency (MFA) received formal confirmation of its initial allocation shortly before the public announcement in DEFRA’s press release of 21 February 2008. The operational budget has not been reduced. The MFA initial budget for 2008-09 is based on 2007-08 operational responsibilities. Additional resources for any other activities that the MFA may be asked to undertake in 2008-09 will be provided accordingly

The MFA’s operational requirements for monitoring, control and surveillance at sea under the new Royal Navy Agreement, were fully taken into account as part of the business planning and budget allocation process.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when he will decide whether to alter the number of patrol days provided by the Royal Navy Fishery Protection Squadron under the new contract; what consideration he has given to changing the number of days to (a) 750, (b) 650 and (c) 600; and if he will make a statement. (190945)

There are no plans at present to alter the number of patrol days provided by the Royal Navy under the new agreement.

The draft new agreement permits a maximum of 750 patrol days, and not less than 650 days, a year.