§ COLONEL NOLAN (Galway, N.)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, If any intimation has reached the Irish Government from the Fishery Commissioners, to the effect that a steam vessel of 150 tons would be highly useful if placed at the disposal of the Irish fishing authorities for experiment and research; and, if the Scotch fishing authorities possess such a vessel?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Sir MICHAEL HICKS-BEACH) (Bristol, W.)544 In accordance with a promise made by me last Session, this proposal, which is an old one, has been revived, and the Irish Government is at present in correspondence with the Treasury on the subject. The expenditure involved, both by way of initial outlay and future maintenance, would be very heavy, and their Lordships have not as yet seen their way to consent to it; but I will do my best to get it carried out in some form or other.