§ MR. C. L. ORR-EWING (Ayr)I beg to ask the Lord Advocate whether the reason why H.M.S. Starling has failed to detect any beam trawlers fishing within the proscribed limits during her search for them since 1894 is, that all the trawlers can steam faster than H.M.S. Starling.
§ THE LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. A. GRAHAM MURRAY,) ButeshireThere is no reason to think that the explanation suggested in the question is correct. The Starling has never observed any trawlers fishing within the proscribed limits, and has, therefore, had no occasion to interfere with them. From past experience, it is known that all of the cruisers employed in fishery superintendence are capable of detecting and capturing any vessel illegally fishing.