§ Mr. ROBERT HARCOURTasked the Prime Minister whether His Majesty's Government are considering the question of a possible extension of territorial waters by international agreement, with a view to the preservation of fisheries against the destructive methods of trawling; whether they will take into account the views of recent writers and Parliamentary Committees to the effect that the three-mile limit may properly be extended owing to the increased range of guns; whether, in particular, they will now take the necessary steps to give effect to Section 10 of the Sea Fisheries Regulation (Scotland) Act, 1895, which proposed a 13-mile limit; and whether, in view of recent developments, they will appoint a fresh Select Committee to take evidence and report on the whole subject?
§ The PRIME MINISTERUntil the full result of the international investigations which are proceeding, and the nature of the measures which may be recommended are known, it would be premature to consider this question, or to take such action as is suggested by my hon. Friend.