§ 23. Major WARINGasked the Under-Secretary to the Scottish Board of Health whether he is aware that at night in the Firth of Forth there are frequently a dozen trawlers working the inshore spawning grounds, and that the offenders are boats held on the instalment system from the Fishery Board for Scotland; and whether he will take steps to alter the system of subsidising illegal fishing?
§ Captain ELLIOTMy Noble Friend is satisfied by the information which he has obtained from the Fishery Board that, owing to the close patrol which is maintained in the area referred to, illegal trawling on the scale suggested is quite out of the question. The law will be enforced, where necessary, against vessels which are being purchased from the Fishery Board on the instalment system, in the same way as in the case of any other vessels.
§ Mr. MACPHERSONIs not the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that illegal trawling is taking place all round the coast of Scotland, and will he see to it that an inquiry, as was promised, is instituted at once?
§ Captain ELLIOTI have myself inquired into this particular case, and I am satisfied that there is no foundation for the allegation that illegal trawling 2325 is taking place on this scale. As a matter of fact, on the night in regard to which the accusation was made, the cruiser "Brenda" was lying with covered lights in that area, and reported that no such trawling had taken place at all, and on inquiry it was found that a fisherman had said he had heard it from a pilot, but when the pilot was asked he said he had not given any such information.
§ Major WARINGIs the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that this illegal trawling goes on continuously, and will he himself visit the district, so that he may see it going on with his own eyes?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONCan the hon. and gallant Gentleman tell us now whether the Secretary for Scotland is going to have an inquiry into this illegal trawling which is taking place all round Scotland?
§ Captain ELLIOTObviously, if it should be true that illegal trawling was taking place on the scale alleged, it would be possible to bring specific instances before this House, instead of general allegations such as we have heard this afternoon, and if such specific cases are brought forward, my Noble Friend will be most delighted to look into them.
§ Mr. MACPHERSONCan I have an answer to my question as to whether the Secretary for Scotland will have an inquiry into the illegal trawling which is taking place?
§ Mr. SPEAKERPerhaps the right hon. Gentleman will put that question down. The present question applies only to one specific case.