§ MR. WEIRI beg to ask the Lord Advocate whether the Secretary for Scotland is aware that the arrangement under which the lightkeeper at Tiumpan Head, Island of Lewis, records vessels which are observed to be engaged in 625 illegal trawling in Board Bay has resulted in a trawler having been convicted of illegal trawling in Broad Bay; and, seeing that the coastguard and lightkeepers have detected other cases of illegal trawling in Broad Bay which have resulted in convictions, will the Secretary for Scotland consider the expediency of communicating with the Northern Lighthouse Board with a view to ascertain whether there are any other lighthouses around the coast of Scotland where the practice in force at Tiumpan Head could be adopted.
* MR. A. GRAHAM MURRAYThe statement contained in the first paragraph of the hon. Member's Question is correct. With regard to the second paragraph, the Secretary for Scotland will consider what other lighthouses are placed in a similarly favourable position for observation, and will then communicate with the Northern Light-house Commissioners. It is, however, questionable whether they would hold a general extension of the arrangement referred to, compatible with the interests of service, which must be their first charge.