§ MR. BLAKEasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether he intends proceeding with the Sea and Coast Fisheries (Ireland) Fund Bill; and, if not, if he will be good enough to state his reason for not doing so?
§ MR. TREVELYANIt is not my intention, Sir, to ask the House to proceed further with this Bill. The reason of this decision, which I have arrived at with much reluctance, is that I have been unable to come to any satisfactory arrangement with the Trustees to aid Sea and Coast Fisheries as to the position of their Secretary. If the wishes of the Trustees were carried out, a charge upon the Fund or upon the Estimates would be involved, so far, in my opinion, in excess of the rights of the case that I should not feel myself justified in asking the House to consent to it.
§ MR. TREVELYANThe Correspondence will tell the whole story. I shall be glad to lay it on the Table.
§ MR. GRAYIs the House to understand that a Bill of great public importance is to be postponed because of the claims of some one individual?
§ MR. TREVELYANI do not choose to allow that insinuation to pass without an answer.
§ MR. TREVELYANWell, I withdraw the word "insinuation." The Bill was originally brought forward in consequence of some Correspondence with the Trustees, and on the understanding that their Secretary should be dealt with liberally. On seeing the Correspondence it will be found that the ideas of the Trustees as to what is liberal treatment differ from my ideas; and having consulted the hon. Member, who took a deep interest in the Bill, I decided to allow it to drop. Having brought forward the Bill at the suggestion of the Trustees, I did not think it right to endeavour to force their hands.