§ Sir A. SPROTasked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will inquire into the destruction of fishing nets near the Isle of May by one of His Majesty's destroyers, towing another vessel, on the night of the 4th March last, by which damage was done to the value of £84 12s. in the case of the fishing boat "Alert," ML 199, belonging to John Smith, of St. Monance, and to the value of £114 in the case of the fishing boat "Chrysophran" belonging to Thomas Harris, fisherman, also of St. Monance; and if he will cause compensation to be given?
§ Sir J. CRAIGA claim for damages to the gear of the "Alert" ML 199 belonging to John Smith (but amounting to £116 12s. and not £84 12s.) alleged to have been caused by His Majesty's ships on 4th March near the Isle of May has been received. A similar claim has also been received for damage to the gear of the motor vessel "Chrysoprase," which is presumably the vessel referred to as "Chrysophran." The amount of the claim is, however, £104 and not £114, and the owner Thomas Morris, and not Harris. These claims formed part of a batch of 12 claims received for damage alleged to have been caused to the gear of fishing vessels on the date in question and in the vicinity mentioned. The necessary reports are being obtained2022W from the Fleet, and if it is found that the damage was caused as alleged and the fishing vessels were observing the Regulations for preventing collisions at sea, reasonable compensation will be granted.