§ Sir SAVILE CROSSLEY (Suffolk, Lowestoft)asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether in view of the fact that no adequate compensation has been obtained in any case, by either private individuals or Trade Societies, from the owners of Belgian trawlers wilfully damaging British drift fishing, the Government will take up the first clear case arising, on behalf of the owner of the injured English boat, and will carry the case through, and see that justice is obtained?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE (SIR JAMES FERGUSSON) (Manchester, N.E.)In consequence of many allegations that the existing means of obtaining compensation for wilful damage to their property are not readily accessible in Belgium to British fishermen, Her Majesty's Government have instructed the Consul General in Belgium to take legal advice, and assist the aggrieved parties to bring a civil action in a test case in which criminality has been proved.