MPs FROM FORMER DISTANT WATER PORTS will meet ministers on Monday to discuss the findings of the recent consultation in further compensation for those who lost their livelihoods as a result of the Cod Wars.

Earlier in the year, the Government announced that because of flaws in the original compensation scheme, it was consulting on paying further compensation to those who may have lost out as a result.

Shona McIsaac organised and hosted a special event with Austin Mitchell at the Fishing Heritage Centre in Grimsby for former trawlermen and their relatives to tell them about the new scheme and to urge them to take part in the consultation.

'It was a fantastic event - the Fishing Heritage Centre was packed out.

'One problem has emerged through the consultation and that is that the new scheme is to be restricted to those who applied under the previous scheme. However, I know of many men - or their families - who did not make claims because they were advised that they did not meet the qualifying rules. While some went ahead anyway and received no money or a reduced amount, most never applied in the first place. And now the Government has recognised that those rules - especially those relating to breaks in service - were wrong. It is vital that the scheme is open to those who never applied previously who lost out on the breaks in service rule,' said Shona.

The MPs, including Home Secretary and Hull West MP, Alan Johnson, will meet the minister Lord Young, on Monday at 7pm.

2 July 2009