§ MR. BIRKBECKasked the President of the Board of Trade, Whether he will) grant a Select Committee, as promised by the late President, to inquire into the proposed Regulations for Lights for Fishing Vessels, and the objections urged against them by the fishing interest?
§ MR. CHAMBERLAIN, in reply, said, the Regulations referred to had been very carefully considered by the Board of Trade, and had been the subject of negotiation with other maritime nations, by whom they were approved. It appeared, however, that his Predecessor, the noble Lord the Member for Liverpool (Viscount Sandon), not only promised a Committee to consider the objections taken to the Regulations by some of the fishermen, but also arranged that the operation of the Regulations should be postponed till the year 1881. In these circumstances the proposed 237 Committee would not delay the operation of the Regulations; and, at the same time, it was desirable that the fishermen should feel assured that their objections had been fairly considered. Therefore, his hon. Friend the Secretary to the Board of Trade would move the appointment of the Select Committee.