HC Deb 05 July 1909 vol 7 cc789-90
Mr. WEIR

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he could now see his way to approach the signatories to the North Sea Fisheries Convention, and other European Powers interested, with a view to some understanding under which it should be binding on all the Powers to refrain from fishing in waters such as the Moray Firth, when the Power exercising dominion over the adjacent shore had found it expedient to close such waters against trawlers of its own nationality?

The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. T. McKin-non-Wood)

His Majesty's Government see no reason to alter the decision stated in the reply given to a question on April 27th last.

Mr. WEIR

What was the nature of that reply, for I have had a similar answer for the last 15 or 20 years? Can this democratic Government, with its enormous majority, not take some steps—

Mr, SPEAKER

The hon. Member must not interpolate a speech on the question. He is entitled to ask his question, and must take his answer.