MR. A. L. BROWN (Hawick, &c.)asked the Secretary to the Treasury, Whether it is the case that salmon fishings in Scotland are the property of the Crown; and, whether, when such properties are for sale, he will take steps to put them up to public competition?
§ THE SECRETARY (Mr. JACKSON) (Leeds, N.)Salmon fishings in Scotland are primô facie the property of the Crown; but a largo proportion of them has been acquired by those who now possess them by ancient grant, or, more recently, by purchase from the Crown, No undertaking can be given that when the salmon fishings still belonging to the Crown are for sale they will be put up to public competition. The mode of sale must depend upon the circumstances of each case; but it has been assumed that the proprietors of the ex adverse lands are entitled to some consideration when a prerogative right of the Crown affecting their properties is disposed of.
MR. A. L. BROWN (Hawick, &c.)asked the Lord Advocate, Whether he will take steps to institute proceedings against river proprietors in Scotland who fish for salmon on parts of rivers for which they have no Charters?
§ THE LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. J. H. A. MACDONALD) (Edinburgh and St. Andrew's Universities)This Question relates to a matter with which the Lord Advocate could not interfere. The interests of the Crown in regard to salmon fishings are attended to by Her Majesty's Commissioners of Woods and Forests.