§ Mr. O'LEARYasked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that a British patrol boat recently cut and damaged nets belonging to two fishing boats off the South-West coast of Ireland; and whether it is proposed to compensate the owners of the nets?
§ Dr. MACNAMARANo report of the damage referred to in my hon. Friend's question has been received. I would remind him, however, that it was decided early in the War that it would not be possible to entertain any claims for damage to fishing nets caused by His Majesty's ships during the period of hostilities.
§ Mr. O'LEARYasked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that 1807W permits to fish have been withdrawn from fifteen fishing boats accustomed to fish off the South-West coast of Ireland; whether he can state the reasons for withdrawing the permits; and whether, having regard to the fact that many men have been in consequence deprived of their ordinary means of livelihood and the quantity of fish coming to the English markets considerably reduced, he will see that the permits are restored forthwith?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe permits to fish were withdrawn from the fishing vessels in question for contravention of the Admiralty Orders to British fishing vessels by fishing in an area prohibited by those Orders, the strict observance of which is essential to the safety of merchant vessels. The permits in question were suspended for varying periods up to a maximum of one week, and all the permits were restored as from Friday the 1st November.