§ Major ANSTRUTHER-GRAYasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps have as yet been taken to gain the consent of foreign Powers to the closing of the Moray Firth in harmony with the regulations of the Scotch Fishery Board?
§ Mr. DUNCAN PIRIEBefore the right hon. Gentleman answers the question may I ask if he is aware that so-called steps have been taken for about twelve years now by the Foreign Office and its representatives, with the only result that there is more trawling than has ever been the case before.
§ The SECRETARY OF STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Sir Edward Grey)I am not aware of the fact stated by the hon. Member.
§ Mr. PIRIEI will be able to forward a list to him, and I shall put a question on the subject next week.
§ Sir E. GREYThe hon. Member states that for the last twelve years various steps, have been taken by the Foreign Office. I am not aware what steps were taken with regard to the present situation. His Majesty's Government have decided not to approach the Powers on the subject at present, as the Bill now before the House is expected to provide a practical solution of the main matter of complaint, namely, that vessels flying a foreign flag can bring into British ports fish caught in waters from which British trawlers are excluded.
§ Mr. PIRIEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that at this moment there are genuine foreign trawlers who do not come under the provisions of this Bill, and who land their fish at foreign ports, and will proceed to do so in the future with greater security if the present Bill becomes law. It will make it a preserve for the foreigner.
§ Sir E. GREYI was not aware of those facts. With regard to the hon. Member's prophecy, if his fear were realised, it would have to be taken into consideration.
§ Mr. RAMSAY MACDONALDWould the right hon. Gentleman tell us how many of the trawlers now engaged in the Moray Firth are nominally foreigners and how many real?
§ Sir E. GREYI am afraid I shall have to refer the hon. Member for a reply to that question to the hon. Member for Aberdeen.
§ Major ANSTRUTHER-GRAYThe House may take it that the Foreign Office has abandoned all attempts to settle this matter.
§ Sir E. GREYI did not say all attempts—
§ Major ANSTRUTHER-GRAYDiplomatic attempts I ought to have said.
§ Sir E. GREYI did not say the Foreign Office would not make any attempts. The purport of my answer was that the particular evil was hoped to be remedied by the Bill before the House. If that is the case, it may not be necessary to take other steps, but I do not preclude the possibility of other steps being taken in future if those hopes are not realised.
§ Major ANSTRUTHER-GRAYThe House may take it other steps will be taken if necessary?
Mr. CATHCART WASONIs it not a fact that the Bill before the House will greatly militate against any negotiations with foreign Powers?
§ Sir E. GREYI think we had better wait and see the effect of the Bill.