§ 50. Mr. M. MacMillanasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware of the increasing illegal trawling by foreign vessels in territorial waters around Scotland; and whether, after conviction of the masters in British courts, he makes strong representations to their Governments, in view of the damage caused to the fishing stocks and industry and the livelihood of British inshore fishermen by these depredations.
§ 52. Mr. Hamiltonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is aware of the increasing number of cases in which foreign fishermen are fishing in British territorial waters; and what protests he proposes to make to the Governments concerned.
§ Mr. NuttingI am informed that there has been no recent increase in the number of foreign vessels found fishing or trawling in United Kingdom territorial waters. In 1951, five foreign masters were convicted in United Kingdom courts. Up to the present the corresponding figure for 1952 is two.
On these figures the need for representations to foreign Governments does not appear to arise.
§ Mr. MacMillanIs the Minister aware that more and more foreign vessels have been observed, especially in Hebridean waters, in the last few months, sometimes within territorial limits? Is he aware that recent restrictions imposed by Norway and by Iceland are forcing more and more of their nationals and our own trawlers back into the already over-fished North Sea and, more recently, into our inshore and near waters and that until, in the interests of our own fishermen, we have devised a much more heavy system of illegal trawling penalties this will continue? Will the hon. Gentleman see what he can do to impress on foreign Governments that these depredations by their trawlers really are resented by this country?
§ Mr. NuttingI was asked to make representations to certain foreign Governments, but I have replied that from convictions in 1951–52 the need for such representations does not arise.
§ Mr. HamiltonHas the hon. Gentleman any figures to show that the penalties imposed on our fishermen for infringing territorial waters of other Powers are much heavier than those imposed on foreign fishermen who infringe our territorial waters? Can he say what action will be taken to impose more severe penalties on those who come into our territorial waters?
§ Mr. NuttingIt is true that the penalties imposed by some foreign Governments are greater than those imposed by our laws, but the hon. Member will realise that the imposition of penalties in British courts is not a matter for the Foreign Office.