Mr. LEICESTER HARMSWORTHasked the Secretary for Scotland, in view of the effect of trawling on spawning beds, if he can see his way to recommend the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to call a meeting of the signatories to the North Sea Convention and other Powers interested for the purpose of considering the expediency of arranging for the periodic closing of all inshore waters so that spawning beds may remain undisturbed for a sufficient time to prevent risk of a diminution of fish supplies?
Mr. McKINNON WOODThe inshore waters in Scotland are already closed to trawling, by Statute and by by-laws of the Fishery Board. The effect of trawling on the fish supply is at present being investigated by the International Council for the Exploration of the North Sea, which includes representatives of the signatories referred to, and the question is in this way already fully before the interested Powers.