HC Deb 27 May 1907 vol 174 cc1329-30
MR. CATHCART WASON

I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland if his attention has been called to the recent trawling prosecutions and convictions in Shetland, and to the fact that fishermen have to leave home for indeterminate periods in order to give evidence; and if, under the circumstances, the Fishery Board will for the future make small grants out of any fines that might be imposed in respect of breaches of the Law to recoup the fishermen for some of their lost time.

THE SECRETARY FOR SCOTLAND (Mr. SINCLAIR,) Forfarshire

Under existing circumstances a witness is entitled to receive 4s. 6d. for his day's attendance at court, and 3s. for every other day upon which he is prevented from following his ordinary occupation. The Fishery Board do not receive the fines imposed on the masters of trawl vessels, and, therefore, they are not in a position to consider the question of I making grants from those fines to fishermen who act as witnesses.