HC Deb 21 February 1895 vol 30 cc1267-8
*MR. J. G. WEIR (Ross and Cromarty)

I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland whether he is aware that, although the gunboat Jackal is at the disposal of the Fishery Board for Scotland for the purpose of protecting the Moray Firth and other parts of the North-East of Scotland from illegal trawling, such trawling has, nevertheless, been actively carried on for some time past on these coasts; and whether he will state the number of days the Jackal was at sea between the 1st September, 1894, and 31st January, 1895, the number of days she was in harbour, the names of the harbours she visited, the dates of her visits, and how long she stayed in each during that time; whether she effected the capture of any trawlers during the time specified; and, if so, will he state the names and numbers of such trawlers and the date or dates of such capture or captures?

SIR G. O. TREVELYAN

Although H. M. S. Jackal is assigned to the Fishery Board she was not under their control from 16th October to 10th January, owing to her having to undergo repairs and to arrangements in her personnel for which the Admiralty is responsible. Between the dates mentioned she was 29 days at sea and in harbour, excluding Sundays, 102 days. She captured one trawler, and visited Aberdeen, Invergordon, Wick, Inverness, Fortrose and Cromarty Harbours. In the absence of H. M. S. Jackal, the cruisers Niger and Cockchafer were detailed by the Admiralty to take her place and to protect the fisheries from illegal trawling. The Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty have during the past year rendered much assistance to the Fishery Board in despatching cruisers for the protection of the fishing industry. During that period, no fewer than 32 cases of alleged illegal trawling have been proceeded against, and three more are still under investigation, besides the recent capture of seven trawlers by the Jackal.

*MR. WEIR

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman could give the name of the trawler which was captured by the Jackal in October last?

SIR. G. O. TREVELYAN

said that two accounts had been received on the matter, one from the Admiralty, and one from the Fishery Board. One called the trawler the North West and the other the North Star.