§ MR. CAVEsaid, he wished to ask the President of the Board of Trade, Whether his attention has been directed to a statement that a large fleet of oyster smacks has been lately dredging within twenty miles south of Beachy Head; whether this is not contrary to law; and, if so, why the prohibition against smacks putting to sea with dredges on board after the 30th of April, which has been rigidly carried out at Shoreham Harbour, is not enforced elsewhere?
§ MR. MILNER GIBSONsaid, in reply, that some information, though not of a very definite character, had been obtained, 1458 that vessels were dredging under the circumstances mentioned in the Question of the hon. Gentleman. If that were so, undoubtedly it was contrary to the law. With respect to the latter part of the Question, all he could say was that repeated warnings had been given to the owners and masters of fishing vessels, that if they infringed the law they would render themselves liable to penalties, as well as the loss of their oysters, dredges, and other fishing gear.
§ MR. CAVEsaid, he wished to know why the prohibition to put dredges on board had not been enforced?
§ MR. MILNER GIBSONreplied, that within certain limits and under certain circumstances it was not illegal to have dredges on board in the fine months. It was, however, prohibited to have dredges on board at certain seasons on the particular part of the coast to which the Question of the hon. Gentleman referred.
§ MR. CAVEsaid, the right hon. Gentleman had not answered the latter part of his Question. Without dredges on board there could be no illegal dredging.