§ MR. R. B. HALDANE (Haddington)I beg to ask the Lord Advocate whether it is the case that the trawler which was 839 recently found by H.M.S. Jackal trawling in inshore waters under the Danish flag had on any former occasion been found trawling in inshore waters under the British flag; whether the authorities have reason to think that the Danish flag was only assumed for the occasion; and whether they are making inquiries into the matter?
§ * THE LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. GRAHAM MURRAY, Buteshire)It has been ascertained that the Dania has been trawling in the Moray Firth, but, so far as is known, not in the inshore waters; nor was she detected at any time trawling under the British flag. It has also been ascertained definitely that she is a Danish vessel, being registered at the port of Esjborg, and there is, therefore, no reason to think that the Danish flag is assumed only on certain occasions.
§ MR. J. G. WEIR (Ross and Cromarty)I beg to ask the Lord Advocate whether he is aware that, under the specification of requirements for the Scottish Fishery Board's new cruiser, the dimensions of the vessel will be less than some of the trawlers which are in the habit of fishing in prohibited waters off the northern coasts of Scotland; and whether arrangements will be made to furnish the Fishery Board with a cruiser at least equal in size, strength, and speed to the fastest trawler?
§ * THE LORD ADVOCATEI am unable to accept the accuracy of the assumption contained in the first part of the hon. Member's Question, nor is the matter of dimension more than one element to be considered. The Fishery Board will take care that the new vessel is fit in every respect for the service on which she is to be employed.
§ In answer to a further Question by Mr. WEIR,
§ * THE LORD ADVOCATEsaid: I do not think it would do to go into matters which necessarily are not settled, since the negotiations with the contractors are not concluded.
§ MR. WEIRI beg to ask the Lord Advocate whether he will state the amount expended each year in alterations and repairs of the Scottish Fishery Board's cruiser New Vigilant, since the date of her purchase by the Board as a 840 second-hand yacht; and whether he will state her coal carrying capacity?
§ * THE LORD ADVOCATEThe amounts spent annually on the fishery cruiser Vigilant for alterations and repairs have been as follows:—1894–95, £778 4s. d.; 1895–96, £310 10s.; 1896–97, £443 12s. These sums also include the ordinary expenditure for maintenance which any vessel would require. Her coal-carrying capacity is about 21 tons, which is sufficient to propel her about 1,100 miles under favourable circumstances.