§ SIR D. MACFARLANE (Argyll)I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland if he is aware that a steam trawler has been recently working in the channel between Ardnamurchan and Arisaig, and between the island of Gigg and the mainland, causing serious injury to the fishing ground in that locality; and whether there is any gunboat in that 1372 portion of the West Highlands to protect the local fishermen; and, if not, if he will send one?
§ THE SECRETARY FOR SCOTLAND (Sir G. O. TREVELYAN, Glasgow, Bridgeton)I am not aware that a steam, trawler has been working in the area referred to. H.M.S. Starling has for some time been engaged inquiring into complaints further north, her headquarters being at Stornoway. An application will, however, be made to the Admiralty to permit the Starling to investigate the matter. The Starling is still engaged in protection duty in northwest Highlands, H.M.S. Jackal is protecting Moray Firth, H.M.S. Onyx is in Orkney and Shetland, and the Active has recently been at Isle of Uig.