HC Deb 05 March 1928 vol 214 cc815-6W
Major PRICE

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs if he is aware that British trawlers fishing off the coast of the Irish Free State are liable in certain cases to arrest, although foreign trawlers fishing nearer the coast are not so liable; and will he take steps to urge the Government of the Irish Free State to fix for British and foreign trawlers the same limit of distance within which fishing is illegal?

Mr. AMERY

The restrictions imposed on trawlers from this country fishing off the coast of the Irish Free State were imposed prior to the setting up of the Irish Free State, and still, as we are advised, remain in force. The restrictions apply equally to trawlers belonging to the Irish Free State. In the circumstances, I see no ground on which representations could be made to the Free State authorities with a view to the removal of those restrictions.