§ Mr. MACPHERSONasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that the damage done to the livelihood of line fishermen by trawlers and seine-net boats has never been greater in the Moray Firth, particularly in the Arroch, Cromarty, and Portmahomack district; and whether he will now put the Mackenzie Report in its entirety into operation and take every step to resist 220W the inroads of all trawlers, British and foreign, into the natural fishing grounds of line fishermen?
§ Sir J. GILMOURThe line fishermen of the district mentioned work mainly within the exclusive fishery limits, and I am not aware of any encroachments by foreign trawlers within those limits. Two complaints in regard to operations of British seine-net vessels on this part of the coast have recently been made. One of these has been investigated, but the complaint has not been substantiated. The other complaint is being inquired into. The area has been and will continue to be kept under as close observation as possible. The question of trawling and seining in the Moray Firth was, as the right hon. Member is aware, referred in accordance with the recommendations of the Trawling (Scotland) Committee to a Committee of the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea. The Report of the International Committee which has been made public is receiving consideration.