§ MR. CATHCART WASON (Orkney and Shetland)I beg to ask the Secre- 1440 tary to the Treasury what sums of money have been contributed by this and other nations respectively towards the inter national investigation of the North Sea; if he will state what practical good has resulted from the so-called investigations made up to now; and whether, in view of the fact that the coasts of Scotland are continually harried by trawlers, and that the fishermen receive no adequate protection, he will consider if the money spent on the Marine Biological Association could be better employed, so as to provide the Scottish Fishery Board with adequate funds to protect fishermen in pursuit of their calling.
§ MR. RUNCIMANFor the information required in the first part of the Question I must refer my hon. friend to page 41 of Command Paper 2,966 of 1906. But I should point out that in addition each country has spent consider able sums on steamers and laboratories, etc, maintained in connection with the inquiry. As regards the remaining portions of the Question, I may observe that a Committee has been appointed to inquire into the whole subject.