§ MR. WEIRTo ask the Lord Advocate, in view of the fact that the cruisers at the disposal of the Fishery Board for Scotland for sea police duty will be reduced in number in conse- 1326 quence of H.M.S. "Jackal" being detailed for purposes of scientific investigation under the direction of the International Research Committee, will he state whether he proposes to call upon the Admiralty for the services of another vessel; and, if not, will he say how he proposes to maintain the numerical strength of the cruisers at the disposal of the Scottish Fishery Board for sea police duty.
(Answered by Mr. A. Graham Murray.)
H.M.S. "Jackal" has been specially detailed by the Fishery Board, acting under the directions of the Secretary for Scotland and with the consent of the Admiralty, for temporary work of about a fortnight's duration, which does not recur more that once in three months, in connection with the scheme for International Research in the North Sea, and consequently the Secretary for Scotland does not propose taking the steps suggested by the hon. Member.