§ SIR ALEXANDER GORDONasked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Whether there is any prospect of the Government placing at the disposal of the Scotch Fishery Board this year the £31,000 surplus brand fees, which the Treasury have received from Scotch herring curers since 1860, in excess of the actual expense incurred by Government for imposing the brand?
§ MR. HIBBERTIn reply to my hon. and gallant Friend, I can only say that I have no power to place at the disposal of the Scotch Fishery Board any moneys other than those appropriated for the 1682 service of that Board by Parliament. I have altogether failed to verify the figure of £31,000 which he has given; but, whether the real amount of the surplus in 25 years be more or less, this will not affect my answer.