§ MR. ANDERSON (Elgin and Nairn)asked the Lord Advocate, Whether the Government have prepared a measure for the purpose of carrying out the recommendations of the Scotch Fishery Board, at page 24 of their Report for 1886—
That a general measure should be passed to enable fishermen from amongst themselves to organize, under the name of District Fishery Boards, a Local Authority which should be empowered to manage harbours and levy dues, to be expended in their repair and maintenance;and, at page 25—it is obvious such a measure would be a great boon to fishermen;and, if so, when it will be introduced; when will the Report of the Scotch Fishery Board be laid upon the Table of the House; and, will the Government undertake that the Report shall be circulated amongst Members a reasonable time before the Vote on the Scotch Fishery Board is considered in Committee of Supply?
§ THE LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. J. H. A. MACDONALD) (Edinburgh and St. Andrew's Universities)The whole question of the constitution and powers of the Scotch Fishery Board and the development of the fishing interest are at present anxiously engaging the attention of her Majesty's Government, as was intimated by the First Lord of the Treasury on the 25th of April; and it is not thought advisable to proceed with any measure relating to Local Boards, even if considered desirable, until it has been determined what are the steps to be taken to make the central management of the Scotch Fisheries more efficient. The Report of the Board will be laid on the Table before the end of June. The Government will take care that opportunity is given for discussion on this matter after the Report is in the hands of Members.