§ SIR EDWARD BIRKBECKasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether his attention has been called to the fact that upwards of twenty French trawling vessels have been fishing during the last ten days on the north coast of Norfolk, off Blakeney, Shoring-ham, and Cromer, within the three-mile limit, and committing serious depredations; and whether he will at once order a gunboat to proceed to the fishing grounds in question for the protection of the local fishermen?
§ LORD G. HAMILTONSome French trawlers having been noticed within the three mile limit off Blakeney, a gunboat was ordered to cruize in that neighbourhood. At no other place within British limits have French trawlers been reported. The Coastguard Officers on the Norfolk coast have not heard of any depredations or damage being done. One of the gunboats attached to the North Sea Fisheries is now cruizing off the Norfolk coast for the purpose of protecting the fishing interest.