§ SIR W. WEDDERBURN (Banffshire)I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland, with reference to the alleged illegal trawling in the Moray Firth on Sunday, the 4th of March, whether he is aware that numerous witnesses at Portknockie are prepared to testify that the vessels in question were engaged the whole forenoon, from 8 o'clock to 12, working under steam within a radius of four miles, doubling, crossing, and re-crossing in such a manner as to show that they were trawling; whether any official visit of inquiry from H. M.S. Jackal, or from any other quarter, has been made to Portknockie with reference to this case; upon what evidence the Commander of the Jackal considered that the vessels in question were probably steam liners and vessels in passage; and how many days since last September the Jackal has spent off the coast of Banffshire?
§ THE SECRETARY FOR SCOTLAND (Sir G. TREVELYAN,) Glasgow, BridgetonI am informed that it is the case that certain persons at Portknockie are prepared to testify that vessels were seen as stated in the hon. Member's question. But as the hon. Member is aware, unless offending vessels can be identified, nothing further can be done, and no evidence of identification has been laid before the Fishery Board. No official visit of inquiry has been made by the Fishery Board, as the information received from the Commander of the Jackal, the fishery officer at Buchie, and other sources did not point to inquiry serving any useful end. The view of the Commander of the Jackal was based upon his general knowledge of the local movements of steam liners and other vessels. The Jackal has been off Banffshire for 19 days since September last on watching duty, in addition to 14 days on scientific duty.