Clause 3. — (Illegal Fishing by Two or More Persons Acting Together.)

Part of the debate – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 24 January 1951.

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Photo of Sir Alec Douglas-Home Sir Alec Douglas-Home , Lanark 12:00, 24 January 1951

I beg to move, in page 2, line 11, to leave out "either of the foregoing sections" and to insert: the last foregoing section. This is really an exploratory Amendment. We want to find out from the Lord Advocate whether, unintentionally, this Clause has been made too harsh. As he will have realised from what we have already accomplished, we feel that those who are subject to the penalties under Clause 1 should be subject to the maximum fine of £10 and also the forfeiture of their gear. On reading Clause 3, however, it would seem that two persons who are committing the offence of fishing without permission might render themselves liable to the maximum fine under Clause 5. I can hardly believe that is intended. If that is not so, why is there no mention of Clause 1? I am sure that there is a satisfactory explanation. It may be that this is a slip and that the penalties are too harsh.