§ 41. Mr. MACLEANasked the Secretary of State for Scotland the relative speeds (knots per hour) of His Majesty's ship "Doon" and the Fleetwood trawler "Lucida," which were recently involved in an alleged breach of the law in respect of illegal trawling in Scottish waters?
§ Mr. SKELTONParticulars of the speed of the trawler "Lucida" are not available to me, and I doubt whether it would be expedient to give precise details about the speed of His Majesty's ship "Doon," which might he of advantage to vessels engaged in illegal trawling. I may say, however, that I understand that the speed of the "Doon" is greater than that of the type of trawler to which the "Lucida" belongs.
§ Mr. MACLEANHas it not been stated publicly that the speed of the trawler is greater than that of the "Doon"; and, if that be so, will the hon. Gentleman see to it that a cruiser is put in these waters where alleged illegal trawling takes place that will be speedier than the trawlers?
§ Sir W. DAVISONDoes not this show the urgent need of up-to-date cruisers for the Navy?
§ Mr. SKELTONWithout attempting to estimate the indirect by-products of this question, I would say that I have given my hon. Friend all the information in my power, and I think it is really important that the exact speed of patrol vessels should not be made public.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODDoes not all this show that, in view of the speed that the trawlers can get up, it is essential that we should have a seaplane for patrol purposes, because this is a very serious thing as far as the fisheries of Scotland are concerned?