HC Deb 22 March 1906 vol 154 cc617-8
MR. LAYLAND-BARRATT (Devonshire, Torquay)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to the losses of fishing gear sustained by the owners of the Brixham trawling vessels "Salem," "Iris,"and "I'll Try,"through the action of foreign steam trawlers in the English Channel, and to the effect the repeated cases of such damage are having on the fishing industry; and whether he will make representations to the foreign Governments concerned, with a view to securing compensation for such losses, and preventing their recurrence in the future.

THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Sir EDWARD GREY,) Northumberland, Berwick

Representations have been made with regard to the "Salem," and the same course will be taken with regard to the "I'll Try." No action is possible in the case of the "Iris," unless the offending vessel can be identified.

MR. MALLET (Plymouth)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to the losses sustained by Plymouth fishermen, owing to the recent action of foreign steam trawlers in the English Channel, and whether he will make representations to the foreign Governments concerned, with a view to securing compensation, and to preventing such losses in future.

SIR EDWARD GREY

The Answer I gave to the hon. Member for the Torquay Division is also a reply to this Question.†