§ Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland in view of the fact that when foreign Seine-netters and trawlers get tangled up with British trawlers in British fishing grounds a British sea fisheries officer has no authority to board the foreign trawler in order to protect the British fishing vessels, if he will take further steps to rectify this in the interest of the British fishing industry.
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§ Mr. RossBritish sea fishery officers have powers to board a foreign fishing vessel within the British fishery limits. Outwith these limits, where fishing is open to all, they may in general board only if invited to do so.
The Fisheries Policing Conference convened by the United Kingdom last April began to consider proposals for an International Convention governing the conduct of fishing vessels on the high seas and the powers which might be exercised by officers of one country over the fishing vessels of other countries. These proposals will be further considered when the Conference resumes next spring.