§ MR. HAROLD COX (Preston)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that a considerable number of the persons engaged in the Pacific seal fisheries are of Canadian origin and domicile; whether the Canadian Government has at any time offered to make, or been asked to make, a contribution towards the cost of maintaining H.M.S. "Shearwater," which is engaged in patrolling these fisheries; and, if not, whether he will suggest to the Canadian Government the desirability of either making such contribution, or of maintaining as a reciprocal service to the United Kingdom a Canadian vessel for the protection of Scottish fisheries.
§ MR. MCKENNAThe Answer to the first part of the hon. Member's Question is in the affirmative. The Canadian Government have not been asked to contribute towards the cost of the patrol, which, as I have already informed my hon. friend, is of an international character. It is not contemplated to make the proposal indicated in the last part of 913 the Question; the Scottish fisheries are not international.
§ MR. HAROLD COXAre they not sometimes invaded by foreigners?
§ [No Answer was returned.]