§ 3. Mr. MILDMAYasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in view of the destruction of the fishing gear in Start 1456 Bay, South Devon, resulting from illegal trawling in the prohibited area and of the practical immunity of the offenders, he will consider the possibility of directing the officers in command of the destroyer and torpedo-boat stationed at Dartmouth to assist in the indentification of such offenders?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLActual assistance in enforcing local by-laws, either by His Majesty's ships (both fishery cruisers and otherwise) or by Coastguard on shore, has always been refused by the Admiralty, but at the same time the Admiralty have assisted so far as they could, consistently with the above policy, by authorising His Majesty's ships and the Coastguard to report to the local committee any cases of infringement of local by-laws which may come to their notice in the ordinary course of their duties. The instructional duties on which the destroyer and torpedo-boat stationed at Dartmouth are employed will not admit of visits to Start Bay being made as a matter of routine, but the question whether they can usefully and without interfering with their ordinary duties make occasional visits will be examined.
§ Colonel BURNWill the right hon. Gentleman endeavour to get the acceleration of a convention for the English Channel just as we have for the North Sea? This has been going on a long time, and it is a matter of most material interest.
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThis is not really an Admiralty matter. When our boats are going about if they notice any infringements of the by-laws they have instructions to report them. We cannot undertake the extra duty of police.
§ Colonel BURNWill the right hon. Gentleman use his influence with the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs—I have spoken about these things so many times, and this has been going on so long?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThis is question time, and I am here only to answer questions which affect my Department.