§ Mr. PIRIEasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, with reference to the genuine foreign trawlers, constantly fishing in the Moray Firth, if he would state whether he has taken steps to make representations to the German Government with reference to the trawlers "Bremen," fishing from Bremerhaven, "Gudron," fishing from Hamburg, and "Gerda," fishing from Altona; as regards the Belgian Government, with reference to the trawlers "Mercedes," "Roi des Beiges," "Bernard," "Ostend," and "Prince Charlie," all from Ostend; and, as regards the Dutch Government, with reference to the trawlers "Erica," "Friesland," and "Grotius," all from Ymunden; and if he is aware that a Belgian firm are building fast trawlers for the special purpose of further exploiting the Moray Firth and supplementing the fleet already at work, in view of the Government's proposed legislation?
§ Sir E. GREYHis Majesty's Government would have no international ground for making any representations to these foreign Governments with regard to any fishing by foreign vessels outside the exclusive fishery limits as fixed by the North Sea Fisheries (Police) Convention. The reply to the latter part of the question is in the negative.
§ Mr. PIRIEHas the right hon. Gentleman any knowledge of communications having been entered into by Departments other than his own with foreign Governments on this question? Or, if not, will he explain why the Secretary for Scotland states that the Government were in communication with the Norwegian Government on this matter?
§ Sir E. GREYNo, Sir; I think there is some misapprehension arising from the great variety of questions on this subject. Anything to which the Secretary for Scotland alluded took place through the Foreign Office, and there was one communication with the Norwegian Government some time ago on the point of prohibiting vessels from fishing in the Moray Firth. As far as I can remember, it was with regard to the transfer of British owned vessels to foreign flags. That is not the same point which the hon. Member has been raising.
§ Mr. ASHLEYHas any foreign Government assented to the proposition that this country can in any way interfere with their trawlers outside the three-mile limit?
§ Sir E. GREYNo, Sir. So far as I am aware no foreign Government has assented to such jurisdiction except as provided by the North Sea Convention, nor have we on our side admitted the right of any foreign Government to jurisdiction to the three-mile limit.
§ Mr. H. A. WATTAre we to understand that because of representations made by the Foreign Office to foreign Governments regarding waters similar to the Moray Firth we are now precluded from asking foreign Governments to remove restrictions?
§ Sir E. GREYI am not sure that I quite follow the question of the hon. Member. We have always upheld the doctrine that jurisdiction over foreign vessels does not extend beyond the three-mile limit, and until it is the policy of the British Government that it should be limited with the consent of the foreign Powers that remains the principle which guides our action.
§ Mr. PIRIEDoes the right hon. Gentleman still adhere to his opinion that the proposed legislation in regard to the Moray Firth will have the effect of preventing foreign trawlers coming into the Moray Firth?
§ Mr. SPEAKEROrder, order. That can be asked in debate.