HC Deb 18 March 1907 vol 171 cc478-9
MR. WEIR (Ross and Cromarty)

I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland if he will state how many cases of illegal trawling have been reported by the coastguard at Scottish stations within the last five years, and how many convictions have been secured as the result of those reports.

THE SECRETARY FOR SCOTLAND (Mr. SINCLAIR, Forfarshire)

Twelve cases and eight convictions.

MR. WEIR

I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland if he will state how many cases of illegal trawling have been reported each year by the light keepers at Tiumpan Head, Island of Lewis; how many convictions have been secured as the result of such reports; will he state what distance the light keepers have to travel when required to give evidence in a court of law; and what expenses they have been allowed.

MR. SINCLAIR

1901, two observed, no prosecutions; 1902, nine observed, four prosecutions, three convictions; 1903, three observed, no prosecutions, two convictions; 1904–5, nil; 1906, two observed, one prosecution, not proven. The light keepers at Tiumpan Head have to travel nine miles when required to give evidence in a court of law. I have not been able to ascertain what expenses the light keepers have been allowed.

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

Were these prosecutions for trawling within the three-mile limit?

MR. WEIR

No.

MR. SINCLAIR'S

reply was inaudible.

MR. A. WILLIAMSON (Elgin and Nairn)

Have the lighthouse-keepers now been instructed to report all cases of apparently illegal trawling?

MR. SINCLAIR

I understand so.

MR. MORTON (Sutherland)

Are they allowed to leave the lighthouses in order to give evidence?

MR. SINCLAIR

Yes, provided they get a substitute to do their duty.