Official Report 123KB pdf
We now move on to negative instruments. We have received a variety of legal advice on this instrument. For example, I do not know whether members wish to comment on the definition of a sound.
I do not know whether that definition is right or wrong; however, it is reasonable to assume that a sound does not have a coastline. Furthermore, no map has been provided and the words "Fishing with" have been missed out of the title in article 1.
There is also a wrong reference to a regulation; we have been advised that that is a serious defect, so perhaps that should be considered as well.
The legal adviser's notes point out that no plan was produced with this order and that we require confirmation that article 46 of Council regulation 850/98 has been complied with. I know that we are anxious to allay the Executive's fears and to make it clear that we do not do things out of cussedness, but I too would be curious to know the definition of a sound and whether it can have a coastline or not. We could perhaps raise that point.