Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many instances affecting HM Coastguard ships there have been of fouling from abandoned or lost fishing gear in the last two years; how many operational days have been lost from (a) ship and (b) personal activities as a result of those instances; and what estimate he has made of the cost of (i) the loss of operational activity and (ii) repairs.

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency operates two small vessels in Scotland. Neither has been fouled by abandoned or lost fishing gear in the last two years.