§ 33. Sir A. SINCLAIRasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware of the damage recently done by foreign trawlers to fishermen's gear in the Moray Firth; whether the closure of the Moray Firth has yet been discussed by the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea; and, if so, what conclusions were reached and what action His Majesty's Government proposes to take?
§ Sir J. GILMOURThe Fishery Board for Scotland have not received any recent complaints of damage alleged to have been done by foreign trawlers to fishing gear in the Moray Firth. The question of the closure of the Moray Firth to trawling has been considered by the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea and has been remitted to a committee for investigation.
§ State for Scotland, to whom this question was addressed. I have answered it because I have the statistical information.
§ Sir JOSEPH NALLIs there any difficulty other than the fact that Russia will not pay?
§ Following is the statement:
§ The following statement shows the quantity of herrings cured (gutted and ungutted) in Scotland during the years specified, together with the quantities exported from Scottish ports to ports in Russia, Germany, etc., in the same years, according to the Annual Reports of the Fishery Board for Scotland for the respective years:
§ Sir A. SINCLAIRWill the right hon. Gentleman inquire about the damage done by trawlers, because I know there is some information on the way to his Department.
§ Sir J. GILMOURWe made inquiries, but nothing up to date has been received.