§ Mr. WATT (Glasgow, College)I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland whether the net known as the drift net is in any way injurious to the spawn of the herrings when deposited on the bottom of the sea; is there a minimum size of mesh fixed by statute for both the seine trawl and the drift net; and, if so, what are the minimum sizes?
§ Mr. SINCLAIRThe net known as the drift net is not in any way injurious to the spawn of the herrings when deposited in the bottom of the sea. There is a minimum size of mesh fixed by statute for both the seine trawl and the drift net; the minimum size is one inch from knot to knot by the Acts of 1808 and 1867, but as under the Act and Convention of the following year the restriction could only be enforced within the exclusive fishery limits, the restriction has fallen into desuetude.
§ Mr. WATTIs it not the case that the use of the seine net is permitted in no part in Scotland but the Clyde, in consequence of the damage done to the spawn of the herring?
§ Mr. SINCLAIRasked for notice.