§ MR. BLAKEsaid, he wished to ask the President of the Board of Trade, Whether he is aware that English fishing vessels are at present dredging for oysters within the limits prohibited, from June 16 to August 31, by Article 11 of the late Fishing Convention between Her Majesty and the Emperor of the French; and if he will cause inquiries to be made on the subject, with a view of preventing a violation of the Convention on the part of British subjects?
MR. BRIGHTsaid, in reply, that the Convention referred to by the hon. Gentleman had not yet come into operation. According to one of the Articles of the Convention it was not to come into operation until a day to be fixed by the French Government, and as that Government were not yet in a position to fix the day the Convention had not come into force. He had no reason to believe that there had been any violation of the existing Convention.