HC Deb 26 January 1973 vol 849 cc240-1W
Mr. Dalyell

asked the Minister of State for Defence what action he is taking to discipline the Royal Navy divers who were apprehended by local fishermen at Raasay taking about £40 worth of clams.

Mr. Buck

The incident to which I assume this Question refers was one when Royal Navy divers, on an authorised practice dive, openly collected clams for their own consumption. This did not offend against any instructions then in force; the question of disciplinary action, therefore, did not arise. Orders have since been introduced for the relevant area.

Mr. Dalyell

asked the Minister of State for Defence whether the senior service officer at Raasay has been asked for, or given, permission that shellfish and crustacea and the like could be gathered by individuals using Service equipment.

Mr. Buck

The instructions governing activity of the kind described were set out in my hon. Friend's reply to the Question from the hon. Member for the Western Isles (Mr. Donald Stewart) on 7th November 1972. Since these instructions were issued no application has been submitted to engage in such activities in the area.—[Vol. 845, c.144–6.]