§ 60. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Lord Privy Seal if his attention has been drawn to the statement in the Danish Parliament recently by the Defence Minister, Mr. Poul Hansen, confirming his Government's instructions to Danish inspection vessels to fire on foreign trawlers, including British trawlers, in Faroese fishing grounds in certain circumstances; if he will obtain from the Danish Government clarification as to the nature of such circumstances; and if he will give appropriate guidance to the British trawling industry following upon such clarification.
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§ Mr. GodberYes. The Minister in question said that the Danish Government had no intention at present of altering the current rules in the Directives to the Fishery Inspection Service concerning the use of live shot as a result of the report of the Commission of Inquiry into the "Red Crusader" incident. These rules permit the firing of live rounds as an ultimate sanction. As my hon. Friend told the House on 18th April the findings of the Commission are under consideration by Her Majesty's Government. The use of force by Fishery Protection vessels both in this case and in general is naturally one of the most important points involved.