§ MR. WEIRI beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland if he will state to whom fishermen in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland are to report cases of illegal trawling during the absence, on holiday, of fishery officers?
§ *THE SECRETARY FOR SCOTLAND (Sir G. O. TREVELYAN, Glasgow, Bridgeton)During the necessary absence of a fishery officer, cases of illegal trawling can always be reported direct to the Secretary of the Fishery Board.
§ MR. WEIRI beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland if he will state what steps have been taken to deal with the numerous complaints of illegal trawling in Loch Roag, Island of Lewis; whether a gunboat has visited this district; if so, when; and whether she effected any captures?
§ *SIR G. O. TREVELYANOn the 22nd February, H.M.S. Starling visited Loch Roag and communicated with some of the fishermen at Breasclete Bay, who informed the commander that no trawlers had been seen within the three mile limit for the previous six weeks. The Starlingsaw no trawlers working illegally.
§ MR. WEIRI beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland whether he is aware that numerous steam trawlers work off the coasts of the Island of Lewis; that in the absence of a gunboat illegal trawling is extensively carried on; and that the Fishery Board takes no action against these trawlers unless complaints are lodged with the fishery officer at Stornoway, which is distant between 30 and 40 miles from some parts of the Island; and whether, seeing that the 152 fishery officer stationed at Stornoway is removed to the East Coast during the great summer herring fishing, steps will be taken by the Fishery Board to retain a representative at that and other stations in Ross and Cromarty throughout the year?
§ *SIR G. O. TREVELYANI am not aware that numerous steam trawlers work off the coasts of the Island of Lewis, or that, in the absence of a gunboat, illegal trawling is extensively carried on; but it is within my knowledge that since January last, every complaint made to the Fishery Board of illegal trawling on the north-west coast of Scotland, has been communicated to the Admiral Superintendent of Naval Reserves, and investigated and reported on by the Commander of the Starling, who did not in any of the cases detect any trawlers working illegally. I will inquire whether the officer stationed at Stornoway is to be detached on special duty during the coming season.