§ 33. Sir D. Robertsonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware of the large-scale salmon poaching now being carried on in certain rivers, estuaries and on the coast of Caithness and Sutherland which is beyond the capacity of the local police forces to deal with; and what steps he has taken or will take to bring this traffic to an end, in view of the threat which it offers to the salmon stock which is one of the counties' principal assets.
§ Mr. WoodburnI have received complaints of large-scale salmon poaching in the waters referred to but inquiries I have made indicate that these are exaggerated. The suppression of poaching is primarily a matter for Salmon Fishery District Boards and for the proprietors of the fishing rights, but the police in Caithness and Sutherland give every assistance. Further inquiries are being made into the specific instances about which the hon. Member has written to me and the general question of protecting the salmon fisheries against large-scale destruction is at present being considered by a Committee which I set up last year.