MR. MCDONALD CAMERON (Wick, &c.)asked the Lord Advocate, Whether he is aware that the Sea-Fishing Boats (Scotland) Act of 1886, which was passed on the 26th of June of that year, has not yet become operative, in consequence of the Orders in Council provided for by the Act not having been issued, or if issued, not having been transmitted to the Collectors of Customs; and, whether he can say when those Orders will be transmitted to the Collectors of Customs?
§ THE LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. J. H.A. MACDONALD) (Edinburgh and St. Andrew's Universities)The Order in Council was passed on the 7th of March, without which the Act was inoperative. But I understand from the Board of Customs that elaborate instructions had to be prepared for the guidance of the Collectors of Customs in administering the Act. The final proof of these instructions were sent by the Board of Customs to the Stationery Office on April 2nd for printing, but the requisite copies have not yet been received by them from that Department. Every expedition, however, will be used, in order that the instructions may be in the hands of the Collectors of Customs as soon as possible.