HC Deb 22 April 1907 vol 172 cc1433-4
MR. RAMSAY MACDONALD

I beg to ask the Prime Minister whether his attention has been drawn to the illegal trawling going on in the Moray Firth which has led to the prosecution and punishment of British fishermen; whether the boats thus engaged are British-owned boats that have been placed under a foreign flag solely for the purpose of being better able to prosecute trawling that has been held in the British courts to be illegal, and that the owners of these trawlers are engaging crews to break the law by serying on these trawlers, and in the knowledge that these men are liable to fine and imprisonment in consequence of fulfilling their labour contracts; and whether, in view of these things, he proposes to introduce legislation which will enable the courts to punish the Hull and Grimsby capitalists who are the real offenders, and who pocket the profits derived from the illegal employment of these crews, and also to forfeit those British-owned trawlers which have been placed under a foreign flag in order that they may, be protected whilst breaking the British law.

SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN

My attention has been called to the matter referred to by my hon. friend. The facts as stated may be taken as generally correct. I am, however, unable to undertake to introduce legislation on the lines proposed in the Question.

MR. STANLEY WILSON (Yorkshire, E. R., Holderness)

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman if it is not the fact that the boats mentioned in the Question are properly registered in Norway, and are entirely amenable to the Norwegian law?

SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN

I am not aware, but my impression is that the facts are as stated in the Question.

MR. STANLEY WILSON

Will the right hon. Gentleman have full inquiry made as to whether there is any truth at all in the suggestions contained in this Question?

SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN

I do not know that any inquiry is necessary. I imagine that the facts are not disputed.

MR. STANLEY WILSON

Is the right hon. Gentleman in favour of English men being allowed the same privileges as foreigners?

SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN

I am in favour of all Englishmen who break the laws of their country—which in this case is Scotland (laughter)—or rather a Scottish law being held liable for it, and I should be glad to see those who provoke them to do it also made liable.

MR. STANLEY WILSON

Will the right hon. Gentleman endeavour to make the law applicable to foreigners as well?

[No Answer1 was returned.]