To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether he has made an assessment of the extent to which other European Union member states have delayed the implementation of their rural development programmes from 2007 to 2013; and if he will make a statement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether he has made an assessment of the extent to which other European Union member states have delayed the implementation of their rural development programmes from 2007 to 2013; and if he will make a statement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the (a) function, (b) constitution and (c) budget of the EU Gas Co-ordination Group is for 2006-07.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the (a) function, (b) constitution and (c) budget of the EU Gas Co-ordination Group is for 2006-07.

I am reluctant to give way because I have so much to respond to, but I will on this one occasion.

I am reluctant to give way because I have so much to respond to, but I will on this one occasion.

Is the Minister at one with the Scottish Fisheries Minister in his attitude to individual transferable quotas? Does the Minister support the policy? Does the Scottish Minister oppose it? What will be the resolution of that conflict?

Is the Minister at one with the Scottish Fisheries Minister in his attitude to individual transferable quotas? Does the Minister support the policy? Does the Scottish Minister oppose it? What will be the resolution of that conflict?

Was the hon. Lady as dismayed as I was to learn that the Government will not introduce the marine Bill in the current Session—and that on top of its not having been introduced in the previous Session? We were told by the Minister today that it will not be introduced...

Was the hon. Lady as dismayed as I was to learn that the Government will not introduce the marine Bill in the current Session—and that on top of its not having been introduced in the previous Session? We were told by the Minister today that it will not be introduced...

I agree, and that leads me on to my next point. During the brief period that I have been a Member of Parliament, I have been going around my primary schools—there are more than 20—and talking to their pupils, particularly about the marine Bill and its importance. I have been...

I agree, and that leads me on to my next point. During the brief period that I have been a Member of Parliament, I have been going around my primary schools—there are more than 20—and talking to their pupils, particularly about the marine Bill and its importance. I have been...

Will the hon. Lady give way on that point?

Will the hon. Lady give way on that point?

We have heard a great deal from the hon. Gentleman and as he tells us, he has many opportunities to speak in many different forums. I have given way many times already. The children in year 4 of Clerkenwell Parochial school will not get an opportunity—

We have heard a great deal from the hon. Gentleman and as he tells us, he has many opportunities to speak in many different forums. I have given way many times already. The children in year 4 of Clerkenwell Parochial school will not get an opportunity—

Will the hon. Lady give way?

Will the hon. Lady give way?

If I may, I shall move on to my next point.

If I may, I shall move on to my next point.

I do not believe that there is such a thing as a sustainable level of cod catch at the moment, because for the past five years scientific advice has told us that we should not be catching any. I know that, as politicians, we have to be pragmatic in this...

I do not believe that there is such a thing as a sustainable level of cod catch at the moment, because for the past five years scientific advice has told us that we should not be catching any. I know that, as politicians, we have to be pragmatic in this...

My hon. Friend’s fisheries policy seems to be formulated on the basis of what the children of Islington want, and because of that she is asserting a logical impossibility. There will be fish in the fish and chip shops. There will not be a total absence of it, but it...

My hon. Friend’s fisheries policy seems to be formulated on the basis of what the children of Islington want, and because of that she is asserting a logical impossibility. There will be fish in the fish and chip shops. There will not be a total absence of it, but it...

I understand that the manifesto commitment is that we will have a marine Bill, and I want to do as much as I can from the Back Benches to ensure that there is a marine Bill—and that it is an effective one. I understand also that there will be a...

I understand that the manifesto commitment is that we will have a marine Bill, and I want to do as much as I can from the Back Benches to ensure that there is a marine Bill—and that it is an effective one. I understand also that there will be a...

I give way to the hon. Member for Banff and Buchan (Mr. Salmond)—for the last time.

I give way to the hon. Member for Banff and Buchan (Mr. Salmond)—for the last time.

The Environment Agency’s budget has actually increased by some 35 per cent. in real terms since we took office. In the run-up to the last election, the Conservative party pledged to remove the angling rod licence. That would have stripped £16 million out of the pockets of the nation’s anglers....

The Environment Agency’s budget has actually increased by some 35 per cent. in real terms since we took office. In the run-up to the last election, the Conservative party pledged to remove the angling rod licence. That would have stripped £16 million out of the pockets of the nation’s anglers....

I am delighted that angling projects the length and breadth of the country are thriving.

I am delighted that angling projects the length and breadth of the country are thriving.

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, for giving me the chance to take part in another annual fishing debate. This year’s debate has been different from previous years. The contribution of the hon. Member for Islington, South and Finsbury (Emily Thornberry) certainly approached the fishing debate from a different angle than...

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, for giving me the chance to take part in another annual fishing debate. This year’s debate has been different from previous years. The contribution of the hon. Member for Islington, South and Finsbury (Emily Thornberry) certainly approached the fishing debate from a different angle than...

Whether the hon. Gentleman likes it or not, those who are by the sea and are therefore on the edge of Britain are on the margins. I am sorry—I was being deliberately provocative and I should not have been; I have many more important things to do than deliberately to...

Whether the hon. Gentleman likes it or not, those who are by the sea and are therefore on the edge of Britain are on the margins. I am sorry—I was being deliberately provocative and I should not have been; I have many more important things to do than deliberately to...

Labour has cut its budget, though.

Labour has cut its budget, though.

Fishing debates tend to be dominated by MPs representing coastal constituencies with strong commercial fishing interests. We heard an interesting contribution from the hon. and learned Member for Torridge and West Devon (Mr. Cox), but all hon. Members who care about the aquatic environment will be interested in a wonderful...

Fishing debates tend to be dominated by MPs representing coastal constituencies with strong commercial fishing interests. We heard an interesting contribution from the hon. and learned Member for Torridge and West Devon (Mr. Cox), but all hon. Members who care about the aquatic environment will be interested in a wonderful...