§ Sir A. SINCLAIRasked the Secretary of State for Scotland, with regard to the findings of the Scottish Departmental Committee on Trawling and Policing of Scottish Sea Fisheries, whether the question of the closure of the Moray Firth was considered at the last meeting of the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea; if so, what decision was reached on the question and what action the Government proposes to take; 2125W whether the fifth and sixth recommendations of this Committee, prohibiting the carrying of otter boards on small vessels and requiring trawlers when in closed waters to have their trawling gear stowed away, have been adopted by the Government, and whether the necessary legislation will he introduced; whether it is now proposed to increase the number of fast auxiliary vessels to five, as recommended by the Committee; whether sufficient experience has yet been obtained of the wireless installation placed on board one of the cruisers to enable a definite conclusion to be drawn as to its value, and, if so, whether it is proposed to equip other cruisers with wireless; whether it has been decided to institute a superannuation scheme for the officers and crews of the cruisers in accordance with the recommendation of the Committee; and whether it is proposed to introduce legislation to give effect to recommendations 8 and 9 of the Committee with regard to increased penalties for illegal depredations by trawlers and the codification and simplification of the Acts relating to Scottish fisheries?
§ Sir J. GILMOURThe question of the closure of the Moray Firth was considered at the last meeting of the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea, and the matter is under investigation by a committee appointed by the Council for the purpose. Recommendations five and six of the Departmental Committee will be kept in view in connection with any proposed legislation dealing with trawling operations. It is not proposed to add at present to the number of fast auxiliary vessels nor to equip other cruisers with wireless installations pending further experience. With regard to superannuation I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the replies which T gave to the hon. Member for Dundee (Mr. Johnston) on 20th April and to the hon. Member for East Edinburgh (Dr. Shiels) on the 1st instant. I am considering the possibility of introducing legislation next Session dealing with the question of trawling. I cannot give any undertaking at present with regard to codification of the existing sea fishery laws.