§ 107. Mr. FoulkesTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent representations he has received about incidents involving fishing boats and submarines; and what action he is taking.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonMy Department has received a number of letters from fishermen's organisations and from other interested groups or individuals about various incidents in which submarines are alleged to have been involved. Though naval vessels have been involved in only a small number of incidents, the Royal Navy regards the avoidance by submarines of fishing vessels and their nets as a matter of considerable importance and is establishing closer links with fishermen's associations in order to promote mutual understanding. The Navy is also actively investigating methods of reducing the likelihood of such incidents.