§ MR. STACPOOLEsaid, he would beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty, How many Government steam vessels, sailing vessels (exclusive of Revenue Cutters), and ships boats' crews have been employed, and for how long during the past twelve months, for the supervision and protection of the Scotch Fisheries; and, to ask the same question in reference to the Irish Fisheries?
§ MR. CHILDERSsaid, in reply, that last year two vessels were employed, one upon the East Coast of Scotland, and the other upon the West Coast, with the small vessels attached to them, for the protection of the Scotch fisheries; but this year one of these had been reported as not being necessary, and one vessel, with the small vessels attached, would be employed. On the Irish coast there was a vessel attached to each of the three stationary ships which were available for the protection of Irish Fisheries. Some months ago he had placed himself in communication with his right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department, the result of which had been that when vessels were required for the protection of fisheries they would only be sent upon a requisition from the Secretary of State. He did not think that the Navy was the proper body to carry on the ordinary police protection of our in-shore waters.