§ MR. BIRKMYRE (Ayr, &c.)I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland what protection is given against steam trawling vessels to the fishermen along the lower reaches of the Firth of Clyde; and whether a systematic watch is maintained upon those vessels with a view to the prevention of their fishing within the prohibited waters, the spoiling of the nets of the coast fishermen, and the injury to the breeding grounds of the fish?
§ SIR G. TREVELYANThe Fishery Board possess a sailing cutter, the Vigilant, whose headquarters are at Rothesay, and whose duty it is to patrol the Firth of Clyde from Greenock to Campbeltown and Stranraer. Every effort is made to prevent trawling.
§ MR. BIRKMYREI may tell the right hon. Gentleman the vessel might just as well be stationed at Portsmouth as at Rothesay, for all the good it can do in this direction.