§ MR. WEIRI beg to ask the Lord Advocate if he will state the names of the masters of trawlers who, during the year 1897, elected to go to prison for the whole period of their sentence rather than pay the fines inflicted for trawling in prohibited waters, and will he also state the names of their vessels?
MR. GRAHAM MURRAYI am informed by the Fishery Board that the names of masters of trawlers who elected to go to prison during 1897 rather than pay the fines inflicted on them for trawling in prohibited waters, and the names of their vessels, are as follows:—"Commodore," G. N. 31, Frederick Powderall; "William Osten," S. N. 66, William Scorgie; "Commodore," G. N. 31, Thomas Fitzpatrick; "St. George," A. 673, Henry Mearns; "North City," A. 400, Thomas Buxton. But I must suggest to the honourable Member that it would be expedient if information as to details of this nature were sought by private inquiry and not by Question in this House.
§ MR. WEIRI beg to tell the right honourable Gentleman I am not asking for the information for myself, but for the information of my constituents.