§ Sir W. SUTHERLANDasked the First Commissioner of Works, as representing the Secretary for Scotland, whether he is aware of the depredations of steam trawlers on the Argyllshire coast within the three-miles limit, with resulting loss to the local fishermen and their industry; and whether he could arrange for the policing of these waters to be done by boats of greater speed and less obvious identity than the "Vigilant" and the "Minna," such as the larger steam trawlers built and used by the Government during the War?
§ Sir J. BAIRDMy Noble Friend is aware that there have been complaints of illegal trawling in extra-territorial waters of the Firth of Clyde. Every effort is being made by means of the patrol vessels referred to to detect offenders. Financial considerations preclude the substitution suggested in the last part of the question, but, even were such substitution possible, the speed of the class of trawlers referred to would be little, if at all, greater than that of the patrol vessels.