HC Deb 01 March 1897 vol 46 cc1335-6
CAPTAIN PIRIE (Aberdeen, N.)

I beg to ask the Lord Advocate whether it would be possible to arrange that the two small cruisers, about to be ordered for the Scottish Fishery Board, shall be built in private yards in order to give Scottish shipbuilders an opportunity to tender for their construction?

MR. JAMES BRYCE (Aberdeen, S.)

I beg to ask the Lord Advocate whether the Secretary for Scotland has yet determined to invite tenders for the two new vessels to be provided for the Scottish Fishery Board for the service of the East Coast, with a view to enabling private firms in the East Coast ports to compete; and, if so, when it is likely that an announcement regarding the sending in of such tenders will be made?

*THE LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. GRAHAM MURRAY,) Buteshire

It is certainly the intention of the Fishery Board to invite tenders from private firms in the first instance for the larger boat, and no time will be lost in getting specifications prepared and tenders advertised for.