HC Deb 06 March 1929 vol 226 cc379-81
41. Mr. MACQUISTEN

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether any steps are to be taken to carry out the recommendations of the 1924 Committee, presided over by Lord Mackenzie, to inquire into the trawling and policing of Scottish sea fisheries; and whether, as this Committee recommended greater stringency in regard to the closing and protection of the Clyde and the Moray Firth against the depredations of the trawlers and the keeping out of these areas of foreign trawlers by international agreement, he will say why no steps have been taken to secure the prohibition, if need be, by laying the matter before the League of Nations?

The SECRETARY of STATE for SCOTLAND (Sir John Gilmour)

In addition to measures taken to strengthen the protection fleet, attention has been given, as recommended by the Mackenzie Committee, to the situation in the Moray Firth. At the request of the British Government a Committee of the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea was appointed to consider whether the prohibition of trawling in that area should be continued, modified, or extended. The Report of this Committee recommends, on scientific grounds, a closure only of part of the area for part of the year both to trawling and to seining. The Report has been made public and is receiving consideration. Apart from this, the whole question of the extent of territorial waters is now under consideration by a Committee of the League of Nations.

Mr. JAMES BROWN

The Secretary of State for Scotland did not mention the Clyde. Do I understand that the answer applies only to the Moray Firth?

Sir J. GILMOUR

As far as regards the main question, yes.

42. Mr. MACQUISTEN

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, as the Fishery Board for Scotland has proposed, subject to confirmation by the Secretary of State, to throw open to trawling an area of the Clyde hitherto closed to trawling by British subjects, and as this proposal has caused anxiety amongst the Scottish people, he will at once cause the proposal to be withdrawn, in view of the findings of Lord Mackenzie's Committee for greater stringency and exclusion of trawling from Scottish waters, which findings have never been called in question by any inquiry of like standing and publicity?

Sir J. GILMOUR

The proposal to which my hon. and learned Friend refers is the result of a very careful survey of all relevant factors by the Fishery Board for Scotland, and I am not prepared, without due consideration, to reject it. I am aware, however, that even the limited relaxation proposed has aroused considerable opposition, and my hon. Friend may rest assured that the objections which have been received will be fully examined. The findings of the Committee referred to will be kept carefully in view in this connection. I fully appreciate the desirability of an early decison.

Mr. MACQUISTEN

With a view to satisfying the popular view and the fishermen, will the Secretary of State, if he finds that there is any proposal to change which is likely to upset the findings of the Lord Mackenzie Committee, set up a powerful and potent Committee to make a fresh investigation into this question before he sanctions the regulations?

Mr. WOMERSLEY

Is it not a fact that the people who are suffering most on account of these restrictions are the Scottish fishermen and not the English fishermen?

Major Sir ARCHIBALD SINCLAIR

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the objections to the proposed removal of restrictions in the Clyde area to which he refers are equally strong if not stronger in the Moray Firth area?

Mr. KIRKWOOD

Is the Secretary of State for Scotland not aware that this trawler business is the same thing that caused our trouble with Russia, and will he have due regard to the fishermen round the Scottish coast who are being deprived of their means of livelihood? Is the right hon. Gentleman prepared to take similar steps to send these trawlers back to Hull and Grimsby?

Mr. WOMERSLEY

Is the Secretary of State for Scotland aware that the hon. Member for Dumbarton Burghs (Mr. Kirkwood) knows nothing about the business?

Mr. J. BROWN

Will the Secretary of State take into consideration the expert advice and conclusions come to, not only theoretically, but from the experience of expert fishermen in the Clyde area, as to the beam and otter trawling proposed by the Government?

Sir J. GILMOUR

This question deals solely with the Clyde, from which area I am still receiving representations. As soon as I have received all the representations, as well as the Report of the Fishery Board on those representations, I shall come to a decision.

Mr. SKELTON

In view of the importance of this question, will the right hon. Gentleman give an opportunity of debating it in the House before the regulations are issued?

Lieut.-Colonel HENEAGE

Will the Secretary of State for Scotland see that the English trawlers are not penalised to any greater extent than the foreign trawlers?

Mr. MACQUISTEN

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that already a trawler from the constituency of one of the Gentlemen opposite has been fined for anticipating the coming into effect of these regulations, and will the principle of any such regulation applied to the Clyde also be applicable to the Moray Firth?

Several HON. MEMBERS

rose—

Mr. SPEAKER

Any further questions must be put down on the Order Paper.