§ MR. M'CARTHY DOWNINGasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland, If he has ascertained whether there is any Act of Parliament still in force under which aid could be given for the promotion of the Irish Sea Fisheries; and, if not, whether it is his intention to introduce a measure to carry into effect the Recommendations of the Commissions of 1835 and 1870, of the Select Committees of the House of Commons of 1849 and 1867, and of the Inspectors of Fisheries in their Report for 1869 in favour of the above object?
THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTONsaid, in reply, that he had consulted the Law Officers of the Crown, and had ascertained that there was no Act of Parliament in force under which assistance could be given; and, under these circumstances, it had been referred to the Inspector of Fisheries to consider whether any, and, if any, what assistance could judiciously be given.