HC Deb 07 November 1906 vol 164 c557
MR. WEIR

I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland, in view of the depredations made by illegal trawlers off the coast of the Island of Lewis, and the western mainland, will he, in the interest of the line fishing industry, take such steps as may be necessary to secure the closing of the Minch against trawlers?

MR. SINCLAIR

There is no statutory authority to close the Minch against trawlers without the consent of other Powers, and I am not prepared to take steps in the direction desired by the hon. I Member.

MR. WEIR

Is the right hon. Gentleman acquainted with the Convention of 1881? If he examines it he will see it refers to the east coast and not the west coast.

MR. SINCLAIR

I shall be glad to inquire into the point.