§ 27. Sir MURDOCH McKENZIE WOODasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether his attention has been drawn to cases where Scottish fishermen have been convicted and fined for fishing within territorial waters of the Irish Free State; and, if so, whether he has taken, or proposes to take, any action to vindicate the rights of British fishermen?
§ Sir G. COLLINSI am informed that a Scottish fisherman has been convicted under the Irish Free State Sea Fisheries Protection Act, 1933, but I have not full details of the case. If the hon. Member will furnish me with full particulars of any cases which he has in mind, I shall be glad to look into them.
§ Sir M. WOODCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether it is open to Scottish or British fishermen to fish within the territorial limits of the Irish Free State?
§ Sir G. COLLINSI should have to look into the regulations governing the matter. If the hon. Member has any further information on the subject, I shall be happy to go into it.
§ Sir M. WOODI have not much information on this question, but will the right hon. Gentleman look into it and 659 issue a statement for the guidance of fishermen who want to fish there as they have been accustomed to do, seeing that they do not know whether they will be convicted or not?
§ Sir G. COLLINSI have offered to make full inquiries into the matter.