HC Deb 19 May 1930 vol 239 cc15-6
26. Mr. WOMERSLEY

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if be is aware that the steam trawler "Lorinda," of Fleetwood, was arrested by an Icelandic fishery cruiser on 8th April on the high seas outside territorial waters, taken into Reykjavik, detained for three days, and charged with illegal trawling, and that the skipper was promptly acquitted by the Court on the grounds that there was no reliable evidence that the vessel had been fishing in territorial waters; and will he take steps to recover damages for this interference with a British vessel carrying on its lawful business on the high seas and to make representations to the Icelandic authorities to see that there shall be no recurrence of such action?

Mr. A. HENDERSON

I have had this case under consideration and have come to the conclusion that the circumstances justify representations to the Icelandic Government. Instructions in this sense are accordingly being sent to His Majesty's Minister at Copenhagen.

Mr. WOMERSLEY

Will the right hon. Gentleman communicate with me when he receives this report?

Mr. HENDERSON

Yes.