3973. Has there been a tendency to that in the Faroe fishing?-Not lately; because some of the people were severely punished for it.
3974. But formerly there was a tendency that way?-At first there was a good deal done in that way, but now I don't think there is anything.
3975. You are not aware whether there is any smuggling in the Shetland Islands at present?-Two or three years ago, there were some of the crews severely punished for that, and I don't think there is any smuggling going on now.
3976. That was one of your reasons for prohibiting shops in Burra?-Yes, it was one reason.
3977. But the effect of that prohibition is that the people have to go to Scalloway for goods?-They can go out of the island and get their goods where they like.
3978. Have you information at present from which you are able to state what proportion of the Burra islanders keep accounts with your shop in Scalloway?-Not at present. Their names may be in the books, but they may get very small supplies from us, and they can get supplies from other people as well.
3979. There are other shops in Scalloway?-Yes; there are several other shops there, and the men may take some goods from us and some from others.
3980. You say that now the oyster-beds there are really exhausted?-Yes. Oysters were got in pretty large quantities in Burra for a number of years, but now they are exhausted; they were taken up in such quantities and sent away.
3981. Are there any oysters got at Scalloway?-Very few. You can get a hundred or half a hundred occasionally.
3982. Are the men bound to deliver to your firm what oysters they take up?-No; they have not been doing it.