HC Deb 29 March 1910 vol 15 cc1152-3
Mr. MORTON

asked the Lord Advocate whether he was aware that in a case of illegal trawling, tried at Campbeltown on 4th September, 1907, the sheriff, before pronouncing sentence, said, from a tolerable experience of convictions of those who had been guilty of transgressing the law as to other trawling, he thought that until Parliament saw fit to permit the imposition of some much more drastic punishment than the limit which at present the courts had power to inflict, and the provision of more adequate means for the detection and capture of offenders, little could be done; and whether the Scottish Office was prepared to do anything to make the law effective so as to prevent illegal trawling?

Mr. URE

I am aware of the case referred to and of the personal opinion expressed by the sheriff. Since its date an additional cruiser has been acquired by the Fishery Board and the Trawling Prevention Act of last Session has been passed, with the result that the law is already more effective.

Mr. MORTON

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer the latter part of my question as to what steps have been taken by the Scottish Office to make the law effective so as to prevent illegal trawling?

Mr. URE

The answer I have given gives the details of the steps which the Government have taken.