§ MR. MORTONI beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland whether he is aware that on Thursday morning, 1823 the 7th instant, a Wick boat, the "Endeavour," W. K. 621, John Sinclair, skipper, came ashore, and reported damage of six nets by a trawler's dan, about five miles off Wick; whether the trawler which was working at the time was the "Campania," of Stavanger, S.R. 4, apparently a Norwegian; whether the dan was painted "Campania, Grimsby;" and whether he proposes to take any steps to protect the Wick fishermen.
§ MR. SINCLAIRThe facts are substantially as stated by my hon. friend. Section 7 of the Act of 1885 seems to provide for the procedure which may most conveniently be followed in cases of this kind, and I am in communication with the Fishery Board as to whether this is a case in which the fishery officer could advisedly for his part adopt the course of action indicated.
§ MR. MORTONIs it the fact that the fishery officers at Wick neglected to report this case to the Scottish Fishery Board until I had put this Question on the Paper? Has he since reported and assessed the damages at £15?
§ MR. SINCLAIRI am not aware there was any ground whatever for the hon. Member's statement.
§ MR. SINCLAIRI will inquire.