§ 24. Mr. Emrys Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware of the complaints of Clyde fishermen on the action of foreign trawlers in destroying the feeding grounds in the Clyde and taking immature fish; and what action he proposes to take in the matter.
§ Mr. MaclayI have received complaints about damage to gear caused by foreign trawlers operating in the Clyde and their use of small-meshed nets and have arranged for a continuous and strengthened patrol of the Clyde to be maintained in order to prevent incidents so far as possible. No evidence has been established as to the destruction of feeding grounds and I have no information about the capture of immature fish by these vessels.
§ Mr. HoyIf the right hon. Gentleman's officials detect foreign fishing fleets fishing with seine nets not of the requisite size, what power has he to deal with the matter?
§ Mr. MaclayThere are various powers, but this is a complicated question to answer and I will gladly write to the hon. Gentleman about it.