HC Deb 12 December 1950 vol 482 c963
20. Mr. M. MacMillan

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of Sheriff Court convictions for salmon poaching in Scotland during 1938 and 1949, respectively.

Mr. T. Fraser

The numbers are 177 and 371 respectively.

Mr. Hector Hughes

How many of these were cases of poaching at night by gangs, and how many were cases of individual sportsmen out for a day's holiday?

Mr. Fraser

I cannot differentiate between sportsmen and gangsters.

Mr. N. Macpherson

What proportion do these figures bear to the number of prosecutions?

Mr. Fraser

Only a very small number of the prosecutions were unsuccessful last year; only 20.