§ MR. WEIR (Ross and Cromarty)To ask the Lord Advocate if he will state whether H.M.Ss. "Seamew," "Speedwell," or "Cockchafer" have been engaged on sea police duty during the present year; and, if so, will he say what areas have come within their respective patrol and the number of days each vessel was engaged at sea.
(Answered by Mr. Arnold-Forster.) H.M.S. "Seamew," after undergoing her annual refit, commencing 2nd March left Harwich on the 6th May for the protection of the trawl fishing from Ramsgate to The Wash (later on from Brown Ridge and Broad Fourteens), also of the whelk fishing in The Wash. She has been on duty continually since that date. H.M.S. "Speedwell," after undergoing her annual refit, commencing 22nd January, left South Queensferry on the 7th May for fishery duties in the Shetlands, with head quarters at Lerwick. She has been on duty continuously since that date. H.M.S. "Cockchafer" is at Queensferry making good defects, which were taken in hand on the 16th March, and has not yet been detailed for fishery duties. She will proceed to the Shetlands about the 1st proximo.