§ MR. ANDERSON (Elgin and Nairn)asked the Lord Advocate, Whether the Secretary for Scotland has communicated with the Scotch Fishery Board for the purpose of carrying out the assurance given by the Government that inquiries should be instituted by the Board as to private rights in mussel beds in the tidal waters of Scotland; what inquiries, if any, have the Scotch Fishery Board been directed to make; what inquiries, if any, have been made by the Board; and, pending the inquiries, will the Government suspend any further grants of fishing rights in tidal waters to private individuals or Corporations?
§ THE LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. J. H. A. MACDONALD) (Edinburgh and St. Andrew's Universities)The Secretary for Scotland has communicated with the Fishery Board as to this matter, and has directed them to iuquiro—(1) Where 337 the principal mussel beds on the Coast of Scotland are; (2) to whom they belong; (3) on what terms fishermen can obtain mussels from them. The Board have issued instructions to their officers to make these inquiries and report. With regard to the last Question, it is a matter within the sole jurisdiction of the Board of Trade; but, on inquiry there, it has been ascertained that no such grant has been made during the last 15 years; and though it is very improbable that any grant will be made, it would be improper to give any such undertaking as is asked for by the hon. Member.