HC Deb 13 February 1896 vol 37 cc220-1
MR. MUNRO FERGUSON (Leith Burghs)

I beg to ask the Lord Advocate, whether he can state what steps the Government intend to take in order In secure the prohibition of trawling in the Moray Firth; and what period is likely to elapse before these waters can be again closed?

MR. J. E. GORDON (Elgin and Nairn)

I beg to ask the Lord Advocate what course the Government propose to take in the event of the Law Courts again declaring that the Fishery Board's Order for closing the Moray Firth against trawling is ineffective to carry out the intention of Parliament, as expressed by the Acts of 1889 and 1895?

THE LORD ADVOCATE (Sir CHARLES PEARSON,) Edinburgh and St. Andrew's Universities

I propose to answer this question and the next one together, and I feel sure that the hon. Members will agree that it is well to await the decision of the Court, which is expected shortly, before making any announcement as to the steps which may be taken; but they may rest assured that there has been no change of policy in this matter, and that there will be no avoidable delay.

MR. J. G. WEIR (Ross and Cromarty)

I beg to ask the Lord Advocate, (1) whether, in view of the fact that serious injury has been done to the line fishermen by the admission of trawlers to the Moray Firth under the recent decision of the High Court of Edinburgh, he will state what steps have been or are being taken to close the Moray Firth against trawlers; and (2) whether, pending the closing of the Firth against trawlers, a sufficient number of gunboats will be stationed there?

THE LORD ADVOCATE

I have already answered the first part of this question, and in reply to the last part of it I have to inform the hon. Member that, following upon the decision referred to, two gunboats were made available for service in the Moray Firth and have been cruising there.