HC Deb 18 April 1956 vol 551 cc996-7
25 and 26. Sir H. Mackeson

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1) if he will make a statement concerning the treatment accorded to Able Seaman Raymond Joseph by the captain and crew of a Belgian fishing vessel on 8th and/or 9th April, 1956;

(2) if he will make a statement concerning an episode off the Kentish coast on 8th and/or 9th April, 1956, between H.M.S. "Squirrel" and a Belgian fishing vessel.

Mr. Nutting

On 8th April, the fishery protection vessel H.M.S. "Squirrel" found the Belgian trawler "Wilhelmina" fishing within United Kingdom territorial waters and arrested her. A rating was put on board the "Wilhelmina" and her Master was instructed to go to Newhaven. The "Wilhelmina" subsequently put out her lights and having evaded H.M.S. "Squirrel," returned to her home port, despite all protests from the naval rating put on board her. On the following day the rating was transferred against his will to the Varne lightship, from whence he was later recovered unhurt.

Sir H. Mackeson

Whilst asking my right hon. Friend whether he would not agree that this episode should be treated in a light-hearted manner, may I also ask him, seriously, whether he will make representations to the Belgian Ambassador here and also instruct Her Majesty's representative in Brussels that any repetition of this episode might have serious repercussions on our relationship with our Belgian friends and allies? When any representations are made, will my right hon. Friend remind our Belgian friends that it is extremely stupid to have poaching and over-fishing on either side of the Channel, by either the British or the Belgians?

Mr. Nutting

I can assure my hon. and gallant Friend that representations are being made to the Belgian Government in the sense that he desires.

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