§ 3. Mr. BURNETTasked the Secretary of State for Scotland the range and average amount of penalties imposed in cases of illegal trawling and illegal seine-net fishing, respectively, within Scottish waters, for the years 1931, 1932 and 1933?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for SCOTLAND (Mr. Skelton)As the answer contains a number of figures, I propose, with my hon. Friend's permission, to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Following is the answer:
| Illegal Trawling. | ||||
| Year. | Range of penalties. | Average penalty. | ||
| 1931 | … | … | £50 to £100 | £95 |
| 1932 | … | … | £30 to £100 | £77 |
| 1933 | … | … | £25 to £100 | £73 |
| Illegal Seining. | ||||
| 1931 | … | … | £2 to £25 | £12 |
| 1932 | … | … | £5 to £20 | £11 |
| 1933 | … | … | £3 to £50 | £17 |
§ In comparing the penalties for these different offences it must be borne in mind that the majority of the boats implicated in illegal seining are of small size, and are not in any way comparable with trawlers in respect of catching power. Moreover, of the total convictions for seining all were first offences except seven second offences. In those for trawling there were seven second offences, six third offences, two fourth offences, one fifth offence, and one eighth offence.