§ 69. Mr. MACLEANasked the Secretary of State for Scotland the powers that are possessed by the Fishery Board of Scotland; whether there is any intention of increasing them and, if so, when 254 the necessary amending regulations will be introduced?
§ Lieut.-Colonel COLVILLEThe powers of the Fishery Board for Scotland are conferred by a series of Acts commencing with the Fishery Board (Scotland) Act, 1882, and ending with the Illegal Trawling (Scotland) Act, 1934. It is obviously impossible to state the powers in detail in reply to a question, but they include such matters as regulation of methods of sea fishing, the protection and policing of the sea fisheries, regulation of shell fisheries, branding of cured herring, harbour improvements, scientific research, the collection of statistics and the general superintendence of the salmon fisheries. No extension of the statutory powers of the board is at present proposed.
§ Mr. MACLEANDoes not the hon. and gallant Gentleman consider that in view of the large amount of discontent in the fishing industry it is necessary to revise these Acts in order to see whether something cannot be done to promote prosperity?
§ Lieut.-Colonel COLVILLEIf the hon. Member has any definite point which he would like to put before me, I shall be happy to discuss it with him.