§ 45 and 47. Mr. NEIL MACLEAN:asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) whether he is aware that the "Freya," one of the vessels under the superintendence of the Fishery Board of Scotland, has to sail from the Moray Firth to Leith every three weeks for coaling, and is absent from its cruising area during those periods from eight to ten days; whether any other vessel takes her place during those absences; and whether, with a view to greater efficiency and better supervision of the Moray Firth, he will take steps to ensure that the "Freya "coals at one of the harbours on the Moray Firth? and
(2) whether he is aware that the "Minna," one of the vessels under the superintendence of the Fishery Board of Scotland, which operates in the fishing waters round Lewis and Skye, has to go to Greenock for re-coaling; whether any other vessel of the Board performs her duties during the periods of absence for re-coaling; and whether he will arrange for the "Minna" to be refueled at a harbour nearer to her sphere of operation?
§ Mr. SKELTONLeith and Greenock are the normal coaling ports of the cruisers "Freya" and "Minna" respectively, but, when necessary, the cruisers coal at local ports; when either cruiser is withdrawn from its station, arrangements are usually made for another cruiser to take its place. The cruisers are, of course, doing police work while on passage to and from the coaling ports. The coaling arrangements will be considered, in the general review of the policing arrangements which is in hand.
§ Mr. D. G. SOMERVILLEIs it not a fact that the statements in Question 46 would aply equally to the Navy if new vessels are not laid down?
§ Mr. SKELTONI have not yet answered question 46.
§ 46. Mr. MACLEANasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, seeing that the "Vigilant,"47 years old and with a speed of 11 knots, the "Brenda,"35 years old and with a speed' of 12 knots, and the "Minna," 33 years old and with a speed of 11 knots, three of the vessels under the superintendence of the Fishery Board of Scotland, are too old and too slow to give satisfactory service in protecting the fishing areas against illegal trawling, he will consider replacing them with more modern and speedier vessels?
§ Mr. SKELTONThese vessels are still rendering useful service. Their limitations are, however, realised and the question of replacement will be considered in the general review of the policing arrangements.
§ Mr. MACLEANIs the hon. Gentleman aware of the criticisms that are being made by the fishermen themselves as to these vessels being unable to perform their duties, and is it not a fact that yesterday in this House criticisms were made of one of these vessels because of its inadequacy for policing purposes?
§ Mr. HENDERSON STEWARTWill the hon. Gentleman consider in the near future adding to the number of vessels engaged on police patrol duties, in order that they may actually perform the services for which they are intended 9
§ Mr. SKELTONThe whole question of policing, and indeed the whole question of the suppressing of illegal trawling, is, as my hon. Friends know, under review. The first chapter will be a new Bill on the subject of the penalties. In connection with that, a careful review is going on as to the question of policing. May I say that the problem of policing is something like the problem of trying to catch 90 criminals with four policemen?
§ Mr. MACLEANDoes not that prove that the vessels mentioned in the question are inadequate to do the work?
§ Mr. SKELTONI have stated in the original answer that the limitation of 1828 these vessels is realised and that we shall consider the question of their replacement. Before you decide what the replacement vessels must be and what their character, speed and so on must be, a general review of the policing requirements must be undertaken. That is being undertaken at the present time, and I could not, by way of question and answer, go into all the difficult points that are involved.
§ Mr. McGOVERNMay I say, on behalf of the illegal trawlers, that the position is quite satisfactory?