§ Major ENTWISTLEasked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the evidence has now been obtained of the skipper and crew of the trawler "St. Hubert," and that it is now quite clear from the bearings of the vessel that it was 14 miles from the land when it was arrested by the Soviet Government, also that the skipper was intimidated by the Soviet officials; and whether, in these circumstances, the Government will now send a 1880W gunboat to Russian waters in order to protect British fishing vessels from these illegal arrests by the Russian authorities?
Mr. HARMSWORTHI have seen the evidence relative to the capture of the "St. Hubert," which shows that the vessel was more than 12 miles from land when arrested, under threat of armed force. His Majesty's Government intend to send to these waters a fishery protection vessel, which will sail very shortly.
§ Major ENTWISTLEasked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has received a claim for compensation in respect of the recent loss of the steam trawler "Magneta" through the illegal action of the Russian Government; and whether the British Government is prepared to assume responsibility for this compensation pending the result of the efforts to obtain compensation from the Soviet Government?
Mr. HARMSWORTHYes, Sir. I have received a claim on behalf of the owners of this vessel, and compensation has been demanded from the Soviet Government. With regard to the second part of the question, it is not possible for His Majesty's Government to assume any special responsibility in this connection.