§ Captain McEWENasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether his attention has been drawn to the state of affairs at Cockenzie and Port Seton where, by a unanimous decision, the seine-net fishermen have agreed to lay up their boats since, owing to the limitations of the area allotted to them, they can no longer carry on their fishing with profit; and what steps to alleviate the situation he contemplates taking?
§ Sir G. COLLINS:I am aware that the fishermen referred to have decided to cease for the time being seine-net fishing in the area mentioned. The position is that seine-net fishing is generally prohibited within the Scottish exclusive fishery limits but that small boats are permitted by by-laws to engage in seining for white fish in certain areas, including an area off the South shore of the Firth of Forth. An application for an extension of that area has been submitted to the Fishery Board for Scotland and is now under consideration by the board who have to take into account not only 428W the interests of the particular fishermen, but also the effect on the stock of fish of any further extension in inshore waters of this method of fishing. The question will be dealt with as expeditiously as possible but I may point out that even if the Fishery Board should decide to make a by-law extending the area an opportunity would have to be given for the consideration of objections in accordance with the statutory procedure before any by-law could be confirmed by me and brought into operation.