§ Captain Pechellasked a question with reference to the effect which the proposed reduction of duties on certain kinds of fish would have on the treaty concluded with France in 1839, as to the exclusive right of our fishermen to fish within three miles of our coasts. If whole fleets of French boats were allowed to bring fish to sell in the ports of the Thames, the endeavours of the noble Viscount the late Secretary for Foreign Affairs, to keep them from fishing within three miles of the British coast, would be quite thrown away.
§ Sir Robert Peelhoped that the hon. and gallant Member would be satisfied with an assurance that the matter would be so arranged that the treaty of 1839 would not be violated. The Government would give their best consideration to the subject.