HC Deb 20 March 1890 vol 342 cc1249-50
MR. MUNRO FERGUSON (Leith)

I beg to ask the Lord Advocate whether he is aware that great dissatisfaction prevails amongst the Forth fishermen because of the insufficiency of the safeguards afforded to them by the fishery cruiser Vigilant within the protected waters; that this vessel not only lies for many consecutive days in port, but is habitually there at night when she should be on the fishing grounds; that she has no practical fisherman on board who could indicate when the depredations of the trawlers can be watched, and is therefore on this account alone almost useless; and whether he will take steps, to secure the efficient discharge of the duties for which the Vigilant was supplied?

* THE LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. J. P. B. ROBERTSON,) Bute

Presumably the question of the hon. Member refers to the Jackal. It can have no application to the Vigilant, which is stationed on the West Coast of Scotland. The Fishery Board have not received any complaints this year of trawling within the prescribed waters in the Firth of Forth. The Jackal lay in Granton Harbour for some time when the crew were on leave for Christmas holidays; but since then she has been on regular duty on the East Coast. She is occasionally in port for a few days from necessary causes; but it is not the case that she is habitually in port at night. There is no fisherman on board; but this is not considered necessary, as the officers and crew are quite familiar with the places frequented by trawlers.