§ MR. PEMBERTONasked the President of the Board of Trade, Whether his attention has been called to the state of the Heme Bay Oyster Fishery; whether it is a fact that the grounds of the fishery have not been cultivated for twelve months; whether the Company have not consequently forfeited their rights under their Act of Parliament; and, whether he will give any instructions to the Inspector of Fisheries to report on the subject?
§ MR. CHAMBERLAINSir, I have recently received from several fishermen and dredgers of Whitstable and its neighbourhood a Memorial complaining of the non-cultivation of the Heme Bay Oyster Fishery. This Memorial has been referred for the observations of the Company who own the fishery, and until I receive their reply I shall not be in a position to consider what course should properly be taken in the matter. The Company, however, do not forfeit their rights until a certificate has been issued by the Board of Trade, after inquiry.