asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what decision he has come to in regard to the recent proposal to permit trawling in an area of the Clyde hitherto closed to trawling?

I have decided that in present circumstances I should not confirm this bylaw. As I have indicated in previous replies the whole question of territorial waters in its international aspects is at the present time the subject of a general review, and I do not think that it would be expedient to take any partial action in the direction of modifying existing restrictions on trawling which might prejudice or complicate the wider issues. Moreover, I am bound to say that the flagrant contraventions of the law which have been committed by a section of the trawlers in recent years in the Clyde area make it very difficult to justify a concession to the trawling interests concerned. I wish, however, to make it clear that a careful examination of the objections to the bylaw reveals no evidence whatever to support the view that the limited relaxation which the Fishery Board proposed after the most careful inquiry would be detrimental to the local fishing. From the purely scientific aspect it appears to me that the Fishery Board were fully justified in submitting this bylaw.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the find mgs of Lord Mackenzie's Committee which, as recently as 1924, went into the whole subject publicly, in every part of Scotland where there are fishing areas; and what contradiction of the evidence then laid has there been in this subsequent evidence which would lead to a private inquiry upsetting the findings of a public inquiry?

The circumstances, of course, are bound to be reviewed from time to time by the Department in making use of scientific research in connection with the matter. Whatever decision the Mackenzie Committee may have come to, the circumstances have to be reviewed.

What evidence was taken from the men engaged in the fishing industry on the Clyde with regard to this inquiry before the Fishery Board came to a decision?

Of course, the Fishery Board are conversant with all the circumstances in regard to every branch of the industry. They make a proposal and publish it so that it may be examined, and they then receive the observations of any parties concerned. In this case, those observations have been received and considered.

Has there not been a unanimous protest from all concerned in the fishing industry on the Clyde; and does the right hon. Gentleman think that the Fishery Board went fully into the matter, since from all parts of the Clyde there are protests against the decision?

Yes, Sir, but, as I have explained, I think those protests are unjustified from the scientific point of view.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Aberdeen trawl-owners do not want this permission and that I have just ascertained from the Lord Provost to-day that he was opposed to it? The Scottish trawlers do not want it; it is a mere invasion of the English trawlers?

Will the right hon. Gentleman reconsider the matter?