§ MR. CHARLES H. WILSON (Hull, W.)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that, although the Moray Firth is closed against British fishing vessels, the foreign steam trawler Dania has recently landed for three voyages fish from the Moray Firth on the Hull market; and what action he proposes to take in the matter?
§ CAPTAIN PIRIEI beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether, with regard to the practice of foreign trawlers fishing within the area prohibited by the bye-laws of the Scotch Fishery Board, and landing the fish so caught at English ports, he will urge upon the Government the necessity of immediately amending the Law of England so as to prevent the continuance of a practice which places Scotch fishing interests at a disadvantage compared to those of a foreign nation?
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE (Mr. RITCHIE,) CroydonI am aware that it has been reported that the Dania landed at Hull 250 cwt. of fish, which were declared as having been caught on the deep sea fishing grounds, and that they were thought to have been taken within the prohibited area, but I have no knowledge as to a general practice of the kind by foreign trawlers. The legislation asked for by the hon. Gentleman raises many questions of a serious character, and, as at present advised, I do not think the facts are such as would justify us in undertaking it.