§ Captain Pechellsaid, that seeing the right hon. the President of the Board of Trade in his place, he would take the opportunity of asking him a question relative to the Fishery Convention between this country and France. He was aware that by the Convention of 1839, certain rules were agreed upon which were to be submitted to the legislatures of the two countries. Considerable delay had taken place, owing to the demands of France, and the great concessions which had been made to her. The force of law had been given, during the last Session of Parliament, to these rules and regulations; and it was now necessary to inquire what had been done on the other side of the Channel, in order that our fishermen might know the nature of the laws and tribunals to which they were subjected. He wished to know, therefore, whether any intimation had been given to the Government of this country that the government of France had submitted to her Legislature those measures to which she was bound by the Treaty.
Mr. Gladstonesaid, that he had had no communication whatever, intimating to him any steps on the part of the French government, since the close of last Session, but he was not prepared to say, that no such steps had been taken.
§ Captain Pechellwished also to know whether the rules and regulations and bye-laws of the Committee of the Privy Council had been issued, and, if so, when they would be laid before Parliament?
Mr. Gladstonesaid, that certain directions had been given to the Commissioners of Customs to carry out the Convention, but it had not been thought necessary yet to issue any bye-laws, and it might not be deemed advisable to do so until they had received the report of the commissioner 476 who had been appointed to make inquiry into the subject.