MR. STANLEY WILSONasked the Secretary for Scotland what arrangement had been made with Norway with regard to their withdrawal of trawling rights in the Moray Firth; and whether it was the intention of the Government to maintain the three-mile limit as now defined.
§ MR. SINCLAIRsaid the first part of the Question should be addressed to the Foreign Office, which was in communication with the Norwegian Government in reference to the situation which had arisen in regard to the Moray Firth. The three-mile limit was not in question.
§ MR. PIRIE (Aberdeen, N.)Is the Scottish Office acting in sympathy with the Foreign Office in this question?
§ MR. SINCLAIRNo doubt the Government is acting as a whole.
§ MR. CHARLES WILSON (Hull, W.)asked if the Government had considered the probability of foreign countries retaliating by closing considerable tracts of fishing ground if this policy of protection was continued.
§ MR. SINCLAIRThat and all other considerations will no doubt be attended to.
§ MR. PIRIEasked if the Government with regard to this question would give due attention to the protests from numerous big fishing centres in the world against the action of the Government.
§ MR. WEIRasked that attention should also be given to the protests from the line fishing industry, also a large one.
§ MR. FERENS (Hull, E.)Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that 1,000 steam trawlers go out of the Humber—
§ *MR. SPEAKEROrder, order! Notice should be given of that Question.