HC Deb 19 July 1861 vol 164 cc1245-7

Order for Committee read.

MR. ROBERTSON

said, he should oppose the Bill, as it would have the effect of placing the salmon fishing in all the rivers of Scotland in the hands of a limited number of large proprietors. The measure would encourage poaching, and give rise to great dissatisfaction among the people of Scotland, and he hoped that his hon. Friend who had charge of it would not press going into Committee.

MR. KINNAIRD

observed that he was also in favour of delay.

THE LORD ADVOCATE

said, that as almost all the Scotch Members thought that the Bill ought to pass this year, and as it was the best they were likely to get, it was not his intention to postpone the measure.

House in Committee.

(In the Committee.)

Clause 1 (Short Title),

MR. ROBERTSON

moved that the Chairman report Progress.

Motion made, and Question put, "That the Chairman do report Progress,"

The Committee divided:—Ayes 14; Noes 45; Majority 31.

Clause agreed to

Clause 2 (Application of Act),

MR. BUCHANAN

said, he objected to proceedings with a Bill of this complicated nature at so late an hour.

MR. E. P. BOUVERIE

said, he regarded the Bill as practically carried, and hoped it would be allowed to pass the present stage.

SIR JAMES ELPHINSTONE

said, he considered that the Bill had been accepted as a compromise between the different opinions upon the subject, and he trusted that the opposition to its progress would not be persevered in.

Clause agreed to.

Clauses 3 to 73 agreed to.

Clauses 74 to 75 postponed.

Clauses 76 to 83 agreed to.

Clause 84 (Weekly Close time),

MR. ROBERTSON

said, he would move to leave out the words "between four o'clock on Saturday afternoon and six o'clock on Monday morning," in order to insert the words "between twelve o'clock at noon on Saturday and two o'clock on Monday morning." The early hours in the morning were most important for river fisheries.

Motion made, and Question proposed, In page 24, line 4, to leave out, 'between four of the clock on Saturday afternoon and six of the clock on the following Monday morning,' and insert 'between twelve of the clock at noon on Saturday and two of the clock on the following Monday morning,'

—instead thereof.

Question proposed, "That the words proposed to be left out stand part of the Clause."

THE LORD ADVOCATE

said, that following the recommendations of the Committee he must oppose the Amendment.

MR. ROBERTSON

said, he would then move that the Chairman report Progress.

Whereupon Motion made, and Question, "That the Chairman do report Progress," put, and negatived.

Original Question put, "That the words proposed to be left out stand part of the Clause."

The Committee divided:—Ayes 32; Noes 10: Majority 22.

Clause agreed to.

Clause 85 to 119 were also agreed to.

Clause 120 (Licence for Rod fishing),

MR. ROBERTSON

objected to the clause, on the ground of its hardship, and that it would lead to confusion and discontent.

THE LORD ADVOCATE

said, he was willing to withdrawn that and the three following clauses, and bring them up on the Report

Question put, "That Clause 120, as amended, stand part of the Bill."

The Committee divided:—Ayes 25; Noes 14: Majority 11.

And it appearing that 40 Members were not present:

Mr. SPEAKER

resumed the Chair:—House counted, and 40 Members not being present:

House adjourned at half after Two o'clock till Monday next.