HC Deb 27 July 1888 vol 329 cc656-7
MR. A. L. BROWN&c.) (Hawick,

asked the Lord Advocate, Whether it is the case that the tenant of Abbotsford has intimated his resolution to stop all angling by the public for trout in the half mile or so of Tweed which touches that estate; whether it is the case that a gamekeeper on the Neidpath Estate of the Earl of Wemyss has announced that within a month the public will be excluded from the water between Manor- foot and Peebles; whether these two stretches of water have hitherto always been open to the public for trout fishing purposes; and, whether, on account of the action of many proprietors in excluding the public from fishings to which they have had access from time immemorial, he will bring in a Bill to give the public free rod fishing for trout on all rivers, streams, and natural lochs in Scotland?

THE LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. J. H. A. MACDONALD) (Edinburgh and St. Andrew's Universities)

I am not aware of the facts stated in the first three Questions. But, assuming them to be correct, the question of the right of trout fishing in these waters is one which can only be settled in a Court of Law, and must depend upon title. I do not intend to bring in a Bill for the purpose suggested by the hon. Member.

MR. ANDERSON (Elgin and Nairn)

asked the Lord Advocate, why the Government had not introduced their Salmon Fishing Bill, which had been repeatedly promised?

MR. J. H. A. MACDONALD

I do not think that arises out of the present Question.

MR. A. L. BROWN

said, that seeing that the Lord Advocate had so often promised to bring in a Fishing Bill, would he consent to print it, in order that they might see how the Government proposed to deal with the serious grievance which had arisen under the present unjust laws?

MR. J. H. A. MACDONALD

I will consider that point.