§ MR. BLANE (Armagh, S.)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, What value is given the public or fishermen of Lough Neagh district 16 by the Conservators of Fisheries under the 11 & 12 Vict. c. 92, in return for the heavy Licence Duty so rigidly levied by them, seeing that they are unable to erect wooden jetties to enable the fishermen of Lough Neagh to land their fish; and, whether the whole of the duty paid is consumed by the payment of the official staff under the above Act; and, if so, will the Government propose its repeal?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETAEY (Sir MICHAEL HICKS-BEACH) (Bristol, W.)The value given to the fishermen in this as in other districts in return for the Licence Duty which they have to pay is the increased production of fish owing to a proper system of protection, without which the fisheries would soon deteriorate. The whole of the Licence Duty is consumed by the payment of officials, principally water bailiffs, and other necessary expenses incurred in the protection of the fisheries.