§ SIR ARTHUR BIGNOLD (Wick Burghs)To ask the Secretary for Scotland whether he is aware that, on Wednesday, 5th February, the fishing boat "Benaigen "of Wick, whilst fishing in the Moray Firth, seven miles off the coast of the county of Caithness, had five of her nets carried away, and eight of her nets with fishing ropes destroyed by the trawler "Bangkok" of Gothe burg, value thereof £68 10s.; whether he is aware that several similar losses have been sustained this winter by fishing boats in the Moray Firth having their nets destroyed by foreign trawlers in the Firth, from whom no compensation is obtainable; and whether he will take steps for the protection of fishermen's property and for the vindication of their rights against foreigners.
(Answered by Mr. Sinclair.) The usual procedure in cases where damage is inflicted by foreign fishing vessels on British fishing vessels is for the complainers to institute proceedings against the offenders in the Courts of the country to which they belong, but in this particular instance the matter has been referred to the Crown Office who have it under consideration.