§ SIR EDWAED BIRKBECK (Norfolk, E.)asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether his attention has been called to the fact that the Ramsgate smacks Pride of the Ocean, Sarah and Edward, Dart, and Rialto, attempted to enter Ostend Harbour on Friday last with the view of landing cargoes of fresh fish, and were unable to do so on account of the hostile attitude of the Ostend fishermen; and, whether Her Majesty's Government will at once call the attention of the Belgian Government to the matter, and obtain similar privileges and security for English fishermen at Belgian ports for sale of fish, as Belgian fishermen have at English ports?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE (Sir JAMES FERGUSSON) () Manchester, N.E.Her Majesty's Government are aware that several vessels have been unable to land and sell their fish at Ostend; but the cases of the four vessels mentioned have not been specially reported. The attention of the Belgian 458 Government has been called to these occurrences; and the Belgian Minister for Foreign Affairs gave Her Majesty's Minister the most positive assurance that every measure would be taken to protect British fishermen in what the Belgian Government admitted to be their undoubted right to laud and sell their fish in Belgian ports, and the Authorities appear to have acted with energy and firmness. But the Belgian Government state that they are unable to protect them from Boycotting; and Her Majesty's Government are informed that since the attack on the British boats no one could be found to discharge or buy the fish. Her Majesty's Consul General at Antwerp has been directed by telegraph to proceed to Ostend in order to report upon the circumstances or assist the Vice Consul, if necessary.