§ Mr. MILLARasked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of prosecutions for illegal trawling, including concealment of numbers and lights, during the present year; the number of convictions obtained; the number of cases in which previous convictions had been obtained; and the amount of the fine imposed in each case?
Mr. W. ADAMSONThe number of prosecutions for illegal trawling during the current year to date is 16, in respect of which 15 convictions have been obtained, one case having been abandoned. In six cases the maximum penalty of £100 was imposed. in two cases £50, in two cases £20 and in the other five cases the fines were £70, £60, £40, £30 and £15. In one case four previous convictions had been obtained, and in each of two other cases one previous conviction was recorded. The remaining con- 269W victions were in respect of first offences. In association with illegal trawling offences there have been during the year one contravention of the Lighting Regulations, in respect of which a fine of £40 was imposed, and three contraventions of the Lettering Regulations, in respect of which a fine of £20 was imposed in two cases and in the other case a fine of £10 was imposed.