§ 6. Mr. Garro Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether his attention has been drawn to an alternative penalty of £200 or six months' imprisonment on Donald Daniel M 'Lean, trawler skipper, of Aberdeen, for illegal trawling off the island of Hoy; whether he has observed that the sheriff principal expressed an unfounded assumption that the fine would be paid by the owners; and whether he will consider a reduction of the fine, in view of the fact that it is so disproportionate to the means of the offender that there is no alternative to a prolonged term of imprisonment?
§ Mr. ElliotNo petition has been addressed to me about this case, but I have made inquiry in view of the hon. Member's question. I am informed by the sheriff that, before sentence was imposed, he was informed by the accused that he could not look to the owners for payment of the fine, and that they had dismissed him. After careful consideration of the circumstances, including M'Lean's three previous convictions, I regret that I do not feel justified in advising any interference with the sentence in question.
§ Mr. Garro JonesHas the right hon. Gentleman seen the Press report purporting to report the sheriff principal as saying that he assumed that the owners would pay this fine; and, having regard to the fact that that statement does not accord with what the right hon. Gentleman has told me, will he make further 829 inquiries of the sheriff principal with a view to ascertaining whether the fine was, in fact, imposed on an erroneous assumption?
§ Mr. ElliotI have made inquiries, and I have first-hand information from the sheriff.