§ 8. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has now received a report of the arrest of the Hull trawlers "St. Amant" and "Thomas Hardy," together with a Grimsby trawler, while fishing off Iceland; and whether he has yet decided to make representations to the Icelandic authorities and the Royal Danish Government against interference with British trawlers when on their lawful occasions in the neighbourhood of Iceland?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINYes, Sir. The British Consul at Rejkjavik has reported that the two Hull trawlers were caught fishing within Icelandic territorial waters and were fined 12,500 kroner, the minimum fine which can be imposed for this offence under the present Icelandic law. The Grimsby trawler was arrested in Icelandic territorial waters with her gear in disorder, and as this was her second offence a fine of 7,000 kroner was imposed. The master of each vessel pleaded guilty and stated that he did not wish to appeal against the conviction. In these circumstances the question of representations to the Danish Government obviously does not arise.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIs the right hon. Gentleman alive to the very heavy nature of these fines for such an offence, and could not some representations be made to avoid this ruinous fining of our men?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINNo, Sir. These are not cases in which it would be desirable or proper that I should make any representations. I hope that all British companies and individuals, who are interested in these important fisheries, will have proper regard to the laws as they ought to be observed.