§ SIR STAFFORD NORTHCOTEsaid, he would beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether his attention has been drawn to the Petition recently presented to the House on behalf of the Inhabitants of Barnstaple, Bideford, and other towns in North Devon, praying that the season for catching and selling Salmon in the Taw and Torridge Fishery District may be enlarged; and, whether he is of opinion that such enlargement is practicable and desirable?
MR. BRUCEsaid, in reply, that his attention had been drawn to the Petition referred to. The powers at present vested in the Secretary of State did not extend to the time of selling salmon, but only to the catching of salmon. The matter would, no doubt, occupy the attention of the Select Committee now inquiring into the Salmon Fisheries, and he believed they would be in favour of extending the power of the Secretary of State.