§ MR. PIRIEI beg to ask the Lord Advocate if he is aware of the presence of upwards of 20 foreign trawlers fishing in the protected waters of the Moray Firth at the present time; and how long this state of affairs, so injurious to the national fishing interests of Scotland, will be allowed to continue?
MR. GRAHAM MURRAYI am informed by the Fishery Board that the greatest number of foreign trawlers observed by superintending vessels working in the Moray Firth in one day recently has not exceeded 10. During the fortnight ended 7th instant 10 different vessels have been reported as fishing in the Firth.
§ MR. PIRIEIs the right honourable Gentleman aware of the fact that since I put the Question down it has been stated there are upwards of 50 foreign trawlers now fishing in Moray Firth?