§ Mr. M. MacMillanasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether he is aware that the steam trawler "Shielburn," A.365, was without a qualified master on board when caught trawling illegally within territorial limits off Bayble by fishermen in the Island of Lewis on 21st August, 1943; that this fact was accepted by the Lord Advocate in setting aside a conviction against 1464W the master of the vessel by the Sheriff Court at Stornoway on 3rd December, 1943; and whether he will inquire specially whether the vessel was at sea illegally without a qualified person in charge in August.
§ Mr. Noel-BakerSo far as I am aware there was a duly qualified skipper on board the trawler in question at the time to which my hon. Friend refers. As I understand it, the skipper's appeal against his conviction was allowed because no evidence that he was on board at the time of the offence was produced at the trial.