§ MR. FRASER-MACKINTOSH (Inverness-shire)asked the First Commissioner of Works, Upon whose representation the rights of salmon fishing in Loch Morar, in Inverness-shire, a lake 12 miles long by two miles in breadth, were alienated last year by the Commissioners of Woods and Forests; whether any steps were taken to inform the public that a sale was contemplated, with the view of securing an adequate price, and reserving existing rights; whether the practice of late years has not been to grant leases of fishing for a short term, rather than to give absolute conveyances; whether the Commissioners were aware that the public had, from time immemorial, been in the habit, unmolested, of fishing in Loch Morar; whether he is aware that, since the date of the grant, determined efforts have been made by the Crown Grantees—namely, the proprietors of North Morar, of South Morar, and of Glenfinnon—not only to deprive the public of their immemorial right to fish, but even to exclude them from access to the shores of this great lake; and whether he will lay copies of all Papers connected with the alienation upon the Table of the House?
THE SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY (Mr. JACKSON)(who replied) (Leeds, N.)said: The Crown's rights of salmon fishing in Loch Morar were last year alienated by the Commissioners of Woods and Forests in communication with the ex adverso proprietors. No steps were taken to inform the public that a sale was contemplated. It has been the practice of late years to grant leases of salmon fishings in the sea; but not of those in inland lochs. The Commissioners were not aware, and have no present information, that the public had from time immemorial been in the habit, unmolested, of fishing for salmon in Loch Morar. The Commissioners are not aware that since the date of the grant efforts have been made by the Crown Grantees not only to prevent the public from fishing, but to exclude them from access to the shores of the loch. I see no reason for presenting the Papers to Parliament.