§ 39 and 42. Mr. THOMAS RAMSAYasked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) whether, in view of the increase of illegal trawling, he will arrange for fast naval boats to be sent to the waters of the Western Isles and the West Coast of Scotland to protect the livelihood of the inshore fishermen, or whether he will arrange for the commission of suitable fast mercantile or other boats to police the, said waters;
(2) if he will take immediate steps to establish a national civil sea-police service, using fast and efficient boats equipped with wireless, searchlights, and range-finders, and manned by officers and crews of experience, to capture alleged law breakers in territorial waters; and whether he will strengthen this force by a sea flying-squad available for rapid action on call by telegraph, telephone or wireless?
§ Sir G. COLLINSAs indicated in my reply last Wednesday to the hon. Member for Govan (Mr. Maclean), the question of reorganisation of the patrol arrangements is now being examined, and in that connection my hon. Friend's suggestions will be borne in mind. Emergency steps have already been taken to strengthen the patrol on the West Coast.
§ Wing-Commander JAMESWill the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that illegal scringing by fast motor boats from places like Oban is very much on the increase, and that the police have no means whatever of coping with this evil?
§ Sir G. COLLINSI am very grateful to my hon. and gallant Friend for drawing my attention to that matter. We shall bear it in mind.
§ 40. Mr. RAMSAYasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that Broad Bay, Isle of Lewis, is one of the best breeding grounds for white fish in the United Kingdom; that vessels which enter it ostensibly for shelter 358 frequently participate in illegal trawling on the way out; whether he is aware that on and from the 28th November vessels have almost nightly been trawling in the bay without lights and with concealed names and numbers; that on the 28th November one local fisherman was ordered to pull up his lines by a trawler, which was dropping its trawl within half a mile from the shore; and what steps he is taking to put a stop to this practice?
§ Sir G. COLLINSAs regards the first part of the question, I am advised that, while Broad Bay is a good fishing ground at certain seasons, it is not a particularly notable breeding ground. I am, however, fully alive to the necessity for giving the utmost possible protection to the local fishermen in this as in other areas; and experimental arrangements for patrol of the area have been specially put into operation.