asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many alleged violations of fishing limits or overfishing were reported to his Department during 1976; how many prosecutions ensued; and with what results.

Three reports were received alleging that foreign vessels were fishing illegally within United Kingdom limits. No detections were made arising out of these reports. 133 complaints were received alleging that vessels were trawling, seining or otherwise fishing illegally within the three-mile limit. In all instances the allegations referred specifically or by inference to United Kingdom vessels. The Department referred three of these cases and private individuals referred four to the procurator fiscal. Four cases have resulted in convictions. Fines were imposed in three and in the remaining case the sentence was three months' imprisonment. In three cases the procurator fiscal decided that the evidence did not warrant further proceedings.