SIR FREDERICK FITZ-WYGRAM (Hants, Fareham)asked the President of the Board of Trade, Whether his attention has been called to the fact that if the bye-laws proposed by the Secretary of State for War for the prevention of vessels anchoring or sailing over the waters of the Solent off the rifle ranges at Browndown (within 1,600 yards of the mainland) are approved by him much injury will be done to the fishing interest of Portsmouth and vicinity, to the commerce of the Port, particularly in regard to its trade with Southampton, and also that the bye-laws will interfere much with the anchorage and sailing ground for yachts; and, whether, as the Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce has petitioned against the proposed bye-laws, and other Petitions against them have been sent, he will withhold his approval of them until he has made full and careful inquiry as to whether the object to be obtained is of such paramount importance as to justify him in allowing so serious an interference with the navigation of waters, which from time immemorial have been open to all?
§ THE PRESIDENT (Sir MICHAEL HICKS-BEACH) (Bristol, W.), in reply, said, he was well aware of the serious objections which had been raised to the bye-laws, and could assure his hon. Friend that it would not be assented to without full consideration.