HC Deb 29 May 1902 vol 108 cc906-7
MR. T. M. HEALY

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland on what grounds his Excellency the Lord Lieutenant reduced the penalty imposed on trawlers convicted by County Louth justices for breaches of the law after the passing of the late Act; are the Government aware that captains of steam trawlers are paid a commission on catches, in addition to salary, and that, in a recent County Louth conviction, the captain's fine was reduced by his Excellency from £40 to £10; is the Irish Executive aware that such remissions cause discouragement not only to legitimate fishermen, but to the local coastguards and magistrates who are endeavouring to enforce recent legislation: and do the Government intend to further improve the law by remedying a defect recently discovered as to the powers of coastguards to effect seizures of trawlers.

MR. WYNDHAM

The first paragraph refers to two cases in which the fines were reduced from £80, and £100, to £50 each. I am not aware that the fact is as alleged in the second paragraph, nor is there any record of the reduction of a fine from £40 to £10. The two cases in which the fines were reduced to £50 were the first cases brought under the Act of last session, which increased the maximum penalty for illegal trawling from a few pounds to £100. No representations have been made to Government of the nature mentioned in the third paragraph. As already stated, the offences in question were the first of their kind under the recent Act, and the Lord Lieutenant mitigated the fines imposed in the exercise of the prerogative of mercy. A coastguard officer is empowered to board an offending trawler and seize the gear, if authorised to do so by the Department under the provisions of the Act of 1901. No further legislation is already stated I am not at present therefore necessary.

MR. T. M. HEALY

asked if great dissatisfaction was not felt at the remission of fines in such cases.

MR. WYNDHAM

said, as he had previously stated, he made it a rule not to express any opinion on the exercise of the prerogative of mercy.

CAPTAIN DONELAN (Cork County, N.)

asked if it would not be possible to suspend the licences of the trawlers.

MR. WYNDHAM

said he would not have got the Bill through last year if such a provision had been included.