§ Mr. MATHERS(by Private Notice) asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether applications have been received from fishermen in the Firth of Forth for the cancellation of the close 16 time imposed by the by-law of the Fishery Board for Scotland regulating white fish seining in that locality; whether he is aware of the serious hardships suffered by the fishermen owing to the failure of other local fishings; and whether in the circumstances he is prepared to authorise the immediate resumption of seine-net fishing?
Mr. W. ADAMSONThe answer to the first two parts of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the last part, I understand that the Fishery Board do not regard the close time as necessary, and pending consideration of an amendment of the by-law I have decided to authorise the Board to permit seining as from this date within the area specified in the existing by-law.