§ MR. LAYLAND-BARRATT (Devonshire, Torquay)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether the attention of the Admiralty has been drawn to the damage lately caused by foreign steam trawlers in the English Channel to the fishing gear of the Brixham trawling vessels "Salem," "Iris," and "I'll Try," and to the effect the repeated cases of such damage are having on the fishing industry; and whether the Admiralty will consider the advisability of placing a gunboat or other suitable vessel on patrol duty on the fishing grounds, in order to give security to the industry and to prevent a recurrence of such cases.
§ MR. DOBSON (Plymouth)May I also ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether his attention has been called to the fact that owners of eight fishing.smacks from Plymouth have had nearly 300 of their nets either destroyed or seriously injured by foreign steam trawlers; and whether he will consider the advisability of placing a gunboat on patrol duty on the fishing grounds, in 612 order to give security to the industry and to prevent a recurrence of such cases.
§ MR. EDMUND ROBERTSONNo report of the circumstances stated has so far been received in the office, but directions have been given for the area to be patrolled by a coast guard cruiser.