§ MR. WEIRI beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty, in view of the fact that the Admiralty cruisers Daisy and Beatrice are only sailing vessels, the first-named carrying only seven men and the latter five, and that these vessels are quite unsuitable for the protection of the interests of the line fishermen from the depredations of steam trawlers, will he provide a steam cruiser of sufficient speed to take the place of these two small sailing vessels?
THE HON. MEMBER also asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will place at the disposal of the Fishery Board for Scotland one of the Admiralty steam cruisers for the purpose of protecting the interests of the line fishermen off the coast of the north and northwest of Scotland, pending the delivery of the new fishery cruiser which was to have been ready by the 1st July, and which has not yet been commenced?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE ADMIRALTYI regret that I cannot meet the wishes of the hon. Member, in view of the number of Her Majesty's vessels now employed on fishery duty on the coast of Scotland, and the needs of other parts of the United Kingdom. At the present time, besides the Jackal and her tender the Daisy, there are three gunboats and a large sailing yawl in Scotch waters. I need hardly remind the hon. Gentleman that the Admiralty always endeavour to meet any special application for the presence of one of Her Majesty's ships when the necessity arises. They have done so in the past, and they will do so in the future.
§ * MR. WEIRI beg to ask the Lord Advocate, as representing the Secretary for Scotland, having regard to the fact that the Scottish Fishery Board's new cruiser, which was to have been ready by the 1st July, has not yet been put in hand, will the Scottish Office approach the First Lord of the Admiralty with a 394 view to obtain the temporary services of one of the Admiralty's steam cruisers for the purpose of protecting the interests of the line fishermen off the north and north-west coast of Scotland pending the completion of the new cruiser?
§ * THE LORD ADVOCATEThe Secretary for Scotland does not in present circumstances propose to approach the Admiralty in the direction referred to.