§ 30. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is aware that three Hull trawlers, the "Stoneferry," the "Sculcoates," and the "Sea Monarch," have been arrested off Iceland for alleged illegal fishing and fined in each case the equivalent of about £625 in sterling, and their catches and fishing gear confiscated; whether His Majesty's Consul at Reykjavik assisted the skippers in their defence; and whether any protest has been made to the Royal Danish Government against these sentences?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINThe British Consul at Reykjavik reports that the skippers pleaded guilty and were fined 12,200 Icelandic kroner, the equivalent of about £563, each, and that their catches and gear were confiscated. The nearest British Consular officer to Siglufjord is the Vice-Consul at Akureyri, 43 miles away. As the trial took place the day following arrest, and communication between the two places at this time of year is very difficult, the Vice-Consul asked a local merchant of standing to render any assistance possible. I cannot decide whether there is any occasion for a protest to the Icelandic Government before the receipt of a full account of the Court proceedings.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIf possible, will the right hon. Gentleman endeavour to get some remission of these very heavy fines, especially in view of the hard times the British deep sea fishing industry is going through?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINThe accused pleaded guilty, and, in these circumstances, I can say nothing until I have received a full report of the proceedings.