[BILL 240.] COMMITTEE. (Hansard, 12 August 1882)

§ GENERAL SIR GEORGE BALFOUR
expressed the obligations which the people of Scotland were under to the Lord Advocate in bringing in this Bill to improve the Fishery Board. It was a question that had long occupied the minds of the Scottish people, and especially of the fishing part of the population. He would, however, submit to his right hon. and learned Friend whether it would not be wiser, having got so far with the Bill, to allow the present Fishery Board to go on for a few months longer. The gentleman who was at its head was well qualified to carry on the business, which was of such a character as would render its operation for a few months more a matter of perfect ease, and no inconvenience would be suffered. Considering the opposition which might arise, particularly on the money part of the question, he would advise the Lord Advocate not to go on with the Bill. The delay would be useful by allowing time for improving the clauses relating to the duties of this improved Fishery Board. To leave these duties to be defined by the experience of the past would be to make these duties depend on a half-dead body, which performed the functions relating to the fisheries in a very unsatisfactory manner. The fisheries off the Coast of Scotland were capable of being made into a vast industry; but to effect this the rules defining the Board's duties must be set forth in the Act. Another reason for putting off the Bill was this—that the present Bill had excited some alarm in the minds of the proprietors of certain salmon rivers in Scotland, and time should be given to enable proprietors of 1649 salmon fisheries to come to an understanding with the Lord Advocate. He further thought it would be desirable to have a digest of all the laws relating to the salmon fisheries made, and an amending Bill brought in next Session. He therefore urged the Lord Advocate to suspend proceeding further with the Bill till Monday.

THE LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. J. B. BALFOUR)
Certainly; I only wish to go into Committee pro formâ.

§ LORD ELCHO
said, he thought power should be given to the Commissioners so that fisheries should be encouraged both in the sea and inland rivers. In particular, he suggested that they should have power to recommend to the Treasury a further grant in aid to harbours. He hoped something of that kind would be done, at any rate where persons interested in those harbours had themselves come forward and asked for a grant in aid from the Treasury.