MR. CATHCART WASONI beg to ask the Lord Advocate if the attention of the Government has been called to the fact that some thirty families have been driven from their homes owing to the depredations of trawlers on the east coast, and that they are now living close to the borough of Lerwick in houses or huts not suitable for human beings, and devoid of the most rudimentary sanitary arrangements.
§ THE SOLICITOR GENERAL FOR SCOTLAND (Mr. SCOTT DICKSON, Glasgow, Bridgeton)The Secretary for Scotland has made inquiry through the Sheriff Substitute of Shetland, who reports that there has been an influx to Shetland of fishermen with their families, who state that they are 1468 unable to make a living close to their homes, owing to operations of trawlers. Some further investigation will be made as to this allegation. It is the fact that the sanitary conditions are not as good as they should be, but the evil is not so great as the question of the hon. Member seems to suggest, and I understand that the county council are taking steps to remedy this, and that a good supply of water from the Lerwick Water Works will shortly be introduced.