§ MR. CROMBIE (Kincardineshire)I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland whether the Government intend to act on the recommendation of the last Fishery Board Report (p. xxvii.), that the Vigilant is not worth the money she costs to keep up, and should be superseded by a steam vessel; also that, in view of the recent extension of the area where trawling is illegal, there should be three efficient steam gunboats, each with a steam launch, to act as a sea police all the year round?
§ THE SECRETARY FOR SCOTLAND (Sir G. TREVELYAN,) Glasgow, BridgetonThat the Government does exercise considerable control over the trawling on the Scottish coast is proved by the fact that since the 10th of February two trawlers have been arrested actually at work off the coast of Caithness, while proceedings have been taken against a third trawler against which a complaint was lodged. If it is found that the protection against trawling is inadequate, application will be made to the Admiralty for further assistance.
§ MR. BUCHANAN (Aberdeenshire, E.)Is not the Scotch Office continually receiving complaints as to the insufficiency of the present arrangement, and will application be made to the Admiralty for another vessel?
§ SIR G. TREVELYANThe matter is always before the Scotch Office. We hope before the summer season to have an extra vessel.
§ MR. WEIR (Ross and Cromarty)Will the right hon. Gentleman take steps to have the Vigilant removed not only from the East Coast but also from the West Coast?
§ SIR G. TREVELYANIf the protection on the East Coast is found to be inadequate further action shall be taken in the matter.