§ MR. BIRKBECKasked the Secretary to the Admiralty, Whether his attention has been called to the following report, which has appeared in the newspapers, of a depredation by a Belgian trawler on a vessel belonging to Hartlepool, and at present fishing from Lowestoft:—
The lugger H. L. 333, Walter Cook, master, put into harbour on Tuesday morning, having been deliberately trawled into by the Belgian trawler O. T. 116, by which he had sustained a loss of twenty-two nets, warps, and bowls. The outrage took place about thirty-six miles north-east of Lowestoft, on Monday night, and unless the owner recovers his nets, of which there is but little probability, his spring voyage will be at an end. His loss is estimated at £50, at least;991 and, whether any cruisers are at the present time stationed on the fishing grounds referred to in the above report; and, if not, whether he will at once carry out the promise given of the 16th instant, on going into Committee on the Navy Estimates, "that the Admiralty would do all that lay in their power to give adequate security to the fisheries?"
§ SIR THOMAS BRASSEYNo Report has been received of a Belgian trawler having been seen fouling the nets of the lugger H. L. 333. The Mermaid and Eagle cruisers have been employed constantly on the fishery ground since the 14th of March?