§ MR. CARLILE (Hertfordshire, St. Albans)I beg to ask the Secretary of 66 State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that, between 1st May and 20th May, 1908, inclusive, eight Bahamian turtling vessels were seized by Cuban Revenue cutters, that these vessels were towed into Cuban ports and the owners heavily fined on a charge of alleged illegal fishing, and that the owners of each vessel were also fined 500 dollars for infringing the quarantine regulations, although the vessels were forcibly towed into the ports where the alleged contravention of those regulations took place; and whether, seeing that it is the practice for these turtling vessels, when returning from the Pedro Cay banks to Nassau, to approach the Island of Cuba in order to be sure of their whereabouts, the Government has taken steps, and, if so, what steps, to obtain the remission of the fines, compensation for the three months detention of the vessels and their crews, and generally to protect the interests of this industry.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Sir EDWARD GREY, Northumberland, Berwick)The incident referred to by the hon. Member was fully reported by His Majesty's Minister at Havana at the time of its occurrence, and received the careful consideration of the Secretary of State for the Colonies and of myself. As regards seven of the vessels seized and fined on a charge of illegal fishing, His Majesty's Government were satisfied on investigation that there were no sufficient grounds for interference on their part, as there appeared to be no sufficient evidence to rebut the allegation that the vessels were fishing Cuban territorial waters within the three mile limit at the time of their arrest. As regards the eighth vessel, arrested and fined on an additional charge of illegally transporting turtles through Cuban waters during the close season, His Majesty's Government were not prepared to dispute the right of the Cuban Government to prohibit such transport of turtles. Owing, however, to the representations made by His Majesty's Minister at Havana, the Cuban Government remitted the fine on this vessel and reduced the fines on the seven other vessels to less than half their original amount; the fine of 500 dollars on each vessel (which according to the information 67 received by His Majesty's Government, was on account of contravention of the Cuban Customs regulations and is presumably that to which the hon. Member refers), being entirely remitted. As it was not possible to refute the charge that seven of the vessels were engaged in illegal fisting at the time of their arrest His Majesty's Government do not consider the case to be one which calls for the payment of compensation to the owners of the vessels for the period of their detention. In the case of the eighth, no sufficient evidence has been brought before His Majesty's Government to justify a demand for compensation. After careful consideration, His Majesty's Government have come to the conclusion that the situation does not call for further action at present; but the hon. Member may rest assured that His Majesty's Government will always be ready to take such steps as may be necessary to protect the interests of this industry outside the limits of the territorial waters.
§ MR. CARLILEMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman why he has made no reference to the fact that it is the custom of these people to pass through these waters on their way to their own ports?
§ SIR EDWARD GREYThe only question is one of evidence as to whether they were or were not fishing inside the territorial waters. If the hon. Member has any evidence to produce on the subject I will consider it.
§ MR. ASHLEYDoes the right hon. Gentleman admit the justice of these people being fined for an infringement of the quarantine regulations?
§ SIR EDWARD GREYI think I said in my Answer that the fine has been remitted.