§ Mr. Cassellsasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will state the number of officers of the Dumbartonshire Constabulary, presently serving, who are entitled to full pension; their respective ranks, ages and length of service; the compulsory age of retirement for the respective ranks and the reason for any non-compliance with the terms of the Police Pensions Act, 1931?
§ Mr. ColvilleI have obtained the following information from the Dumbartonshire Police Authority. In no case has there been non-compliance with the terms of the Police Pensions Act, 1921.
February, certain boats operating the ring-net overran the drift nets of three St. Monance vessels fishing for herring between the Fife coast and May Island, 587W causing great damage to the nets, ropes, and other equipment of the drifters valued, in the case of one boat, at over £100, and in the case of another, causing the crew to be unemployed for four days; whether the Fishery Board for Scotland are taking any steps to prevent this obstruction to drift-net fishing; and whether, since the two types of fishing cannot operate together in the same waters without causing repeated clashes between the crews concerned, with serious loss of catch and gear, he will consider measures to prevent this?
§ Mr. ColvilleI have been informed of the damage referred to and regret the loss the fishermen have sustained. There is, I understand, no direct evidence at present as to the manner in which the damage occurred but the Fishery Board for Scotland will continue their investigation of this question. I am instructing the Fishery Board to continue to take all possible measures by means of their patrol vessels to prevent the occurrence of damage to drift nets.