§ Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that large and rare long-finned bream and other tropical and sub-tropical fish recently caught in Scottish waters are now being examined by students in Torry Research Station, Aberdeen; and if he will make a statement, indicating the alterations in currents and other trends which bring tropical and subtropical fish to Scottish fishing grounds and the effect which such trends have on the size, numbers and habits of fish which usually inhabit these waters.
§ Mr. MaclayA large specimen of the rare long-finned bream was examined last year by scientists of my Department's Marine Laboratory at Aberdeen. While the occurrence of rare fishes round our coasts sometimes gives useful pointers to changing sea conditions which may affect our fisheries, detailed information about changes in currents and other conditions affecting fish can only be obtained by the regular surveys carried out by research vessels operated by the Fishery Departments and others.