§ 1. Mr. KIRKWOODasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has considered the representations from the Kyle of Lochalsh on behalf of west, coast fishermen who have suffered damage because of illegal trawling within the three-mile area; and will he consider the advisability of the Government proceed- 3 ing with the construction of a new fishery cruiser speedy enough to deal with the most modern trawlers offending within the three-mile limit?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for SCOTLAND (Sir Godfrey Collins)The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The whole question of illegal trawling is engaging my close attention including the possibility of strengthening the protection fleet.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODIs not the right hon. Gentleman aware that for the last 10 years the Secretary of State for Scotland has given practically the same answer and yet nothing is done; and that the fishing industry is faced with ruin?
§ Sir IAN MACPHERSONAre not all the relevant facts relating to illegal trawling in the right hon. Gentleman's Department, and is he not now justified in taking immediate action?
§ Sir G. COLLINS:In reply to the latter question, I think that I have all the relevant information at my disposal, and, as I have stated, this question is engaging my close attention, and I hope at a later date to make a statement on the subject. In reply to the hon. Gentleman the Member for Dumbarton Burghs (Mr. Kirkwood), I am not aware of all the different answers given by my predecessors during the last 10 years. As the hon. Gentleman well knows, this question has engaged the attention of Secretaries of State not only for 10 years but for 20 or more years, and I hope very shortly to be able to make some announcement on the subject.