§ Mr. Wolrige-Gordonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the latest figures of herring caught at Shetland this year; how this compares with last year; and what evidence there is of an increase in foreign effort.
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§ Mr. Gordon CampbellThe latest available figures indicate catches of 23,612 crans by United Kingdom vessels in Shetland waters during the period from 1st January to 30th June 1973, as compared with 23,842 crans for the similar period in 1972. It should be noted, however, that herring fishing in the North Sea was banned from 1st April to 15th June 1972 and from 1st February to 15th June in 1973. Comparable figures for foreign catches are not available but on the basis of sightings in the area there is no reason to believe that there has been any increased foreign effort there so far.
New applications Applications for renewal Received Granted Received Granted 1969 … … … … … 6 6 — — 1970 … … … … … 8 6 6 6 1971 … … … … … 13 9 1 1 1972 … … … … … 10 9 3 2 In the majority of cases the authority is valid for three years.
§ Mr. Maxwell-Hyslopasked the Secretary of State for Scotland, with reference to paragraph 30 of the Green Paper on the Control of Firearms in Great Britain, in each of the last five years, 1968 to 1972, inclusive, (a) how many permits granting applications for permission to hold "prohibited weapons" were signed by the Secretary of State personally, (b) how many such permits were signed by another Minister personally, acting on behalf of the Secretary of State, and (c) how many such permits were signed by a civil servant, and of what grade within the Civil Service, acting on behalf of the Secretary of State.
§ Mr. Gordon CampbellThe grant, renewal or refusal of my authority under Section 5 of the Firearms Act 1968 is notified to the applicant in all cases—whether or not the application has been considered by a Minister personally—by a letter signed by an officer of my Department, of the grade of higher executive officer or above.