HC Deb 23 June 1924 vol 175 cc9-10
15 and 16. Lieut.-Commander KEN-WORTHY

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1) whether he can give any information regarding the seizure of the British trawler "Frascati" by the Danish authorities near Waagöe, in the Faroe Islands; if he is aware that the vessel was fined 1,600 kronen and her equipment confiscated; what court or authority imposed this penalty; and whether any protest has been made on behalf of His Majesty's Government;

(2) whether there is a British consular officer in the Faroe Islands; if so, what is his nationality; and whether he assisted the skipper of the British trawler "Frascati," recently seized and heavily fined near Waagöe by the Danish authorities in any way?

The PRIME MINISTER

I will answer these questions together. The facts of the case are substantially as stated. The skipper admitted that he had trawled within the limits of territorial waters and conviction by the local court could not therefore be avoided. In these circumstances His Majesty's Government have not made and do not propose to make any protest. The Acting British Consul, who is of Danish nationality, attended in court and gave all possible assistance to the skipper.

Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHY

Even so, does not my right hon. Friend think that this fine is a very heavy one on the capital of a small fishing vessel because of inadvertent straying into territorial waters? Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that when we take a French fishing vessel for trawling in our territorial waters the fine is only £15 or £20, if as much as that? Is not the fine on the English trawler a penalisation

Mr. A. M. SAMUEL

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that on the East coast we avoid taking foreign vessels even if they do infringe the law, or let them off with a light fine?

The PRIME MINISTER

Obviously I had better not express opinions about the international administration of the law in a friendly foreign state.

Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHY

Will not the only result be that these fishermen will fish off Scottish waters, and that that is not popular with the right hon. Gentleman's own constituents, or, rather, his fellow-countrymen?