§ Mr. Forbes Hendryasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that further illegal infringement of fishing rights took place off Montrose early in the morning of Sunday, 18th June, involving a disturbance between 64W coast salmon fishery owners and the crew of a boat who were drift-fishing for salmon one mile from the shore, and that the local police and district fishery board were unable to deal with the incident; and whether he will direct his Fishery Protection Service to give assistance to the local authorities in such circumstances in order to protect lawful fishing rights.
§ Mr. MaclayI am aware that there have been incidents in the Montrose area but the question whether there has been any illegal infringement of fishing rights is a matter for the courts. As was indicated in reply to the hon. Member's Question on 20th June, enforcement of the salmon laws lies with the district board and the police, and I am not satisfied that the situation calls for any directive to the Fishery Protection Service, which is, of course, primarily concerned with enforcement of the law relating to sea fisheries other than salmon.