§ MR. BIRKBECKasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether his attention has been called to the report of Mr. W. H. Higgin on the outrages committed by foreign upon English fishermen in the North Sea; and, whether Her Majesty's Government intend taking any steps with regard to obtaining a convention between England, France, Belgium, and Holland, which is so urgently required? Before a reply was given to his Question he begged the permission of the House to read the following telegram from Messrs. Capps, of Lowestoft:—
The 'Warrior,' belonging to us, fishing last night, 30 miles off Lowestoft, had 15 nets and ropes cut away by a foreign trawler. Believe done with 'Belgian devil.'
§ SIR CHARLES W. DILKESir, Her Majesty's Government have communicated with the Governments of France, Holland, and Belgium with a view of dealing with this matter; but they have not yet received a reply to their communications.