§ 12. Mr. MacCormickasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will pay an official visit to Campbeltown.
§ Mr. William RossI have at present no plans to do so.
§ Mr. MacCormickI am sure that the Secretary of State will accept that the people of Campbeltown will be deeply disappointed by that answer. Would he care to instruct his Department to take steps to make sure—especially in view of what has been said about the difficulties which face the fishing industry—that the fishermen of Campbeltown are not prosecuted by sea anglers and others, under an 435 ancient and disreputable byelaw, for employing otter boards when trawling in the Firth of Clyde?
§ Mr. RossIt is not a byelaw; it is—I think—an Act of Parliament, of 1885. I note the point that the hon. Gentleman raises. I spoke about it last week to a certain knowledgeable person from Camp-beltown. The hon. Gentleman knows that the matter is sub judice and that there will be a trial in Kilmarnock on 31st March. The question of a change in the law does not arise at present, but the hon. Gentleman may take it that I understand the problem and the feelings of the fishermen. There is little I can do at the moment.