§ 24 and 25. Mr. WOMERSLEYasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1), if he will have full inquiries made into the circumstances of the arrest of the Grimsby trawler "Thomas Thresher" on a charge of not having her gear properly stowed whilst in Icelandic territorial waters; and will he cable instructions to His Majesty's representative at Reykjavik to render all possible assistance to the skipper of the "Thomas Thresher" in preparing and presenting his defence;
1692 (2), if he will have full inquiries made into the circumstances of the arrest of the Grimsby trawler "Offa" on a charge of a breach of Icelandic fishery regulations; and will he cable instructions to His Majesty's representative at Reykjavik to render all possible assistance to the skipper of the "Offa" in preparing and presenting his defence?
Mr. A. HENDERSONLegal proceedings in these two cases have now ended, and the two vessels have sailed for home, after security had been given for payment of the fines imposed. I have no doubt that His Majesty's Consul-General in Iceland has given all possible assistance to the defendants; but I have asked him to send me a full report as soon as possible.
§ Mr. WOMERSLEYIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that an appeal has been lodged respecting the case of the trawler "Offa," and will he cable instructions to our representative to give all assistance possible in prosecuting the appeal; further, will he bear in mind that the last Government entered into an agreement with the Icelandic authorities respecting these matters, and will he have special inquiries made as to how the "Thomas Thresher" was alleged to have broken the agreement?