LORD BALFOUR OF BURLEIGH,who had given notice to ask the Representative of the Scottish Office whether it is the case that certain persons recently convicted in the Sheriff Court at Elgin for illegal trawling in the Moray Firth, and imprisoned in default of payment of fines, have been released without the payment of the fines; and, if so, whether he can, without detriment to the public interest, give any explanation of the reasons which have led to their release, said: My Lords, since I put this I Question on the Paper I have had a courteous communication from the noble Lord who represents the Foreign Office, asking that it may be postponed for a few days. That, of course, is a request I which any one of your Lordships would comply with, and I very willingly and gladly do so. I propose to put it down for Monday next. I may say that I am in a state of ignorance on the subject, and that if I could be told that the persons to whom I have referred had not been released I should not raise the question at all.
§ THE LORD PRIVY SEAL (The MARQUESS of RIPON)My Lords, I am very much obliged to my noble friend for consenting not to put his Question to-day, and I should be still further indebted to him if he would postpone it until Thursday. It is important that the question should have the attention of the noble and learned Lord on the Woolsack, and I think Thursday would be the most convenient day for him.
LORD BALFOUR OF BURLEIGHI will put the Question down for Thursday. 277 I do not know if it is possible for the noble Marquess to state whether or not these persons have been released?
§ THE MARQUESS OF RIPONI am afraid I cannot tell you.
§ House adjourned at twenty-five minutes before Five o'clock till To-morrow, half-past Ten o'clock.