HC Deb 05 March 1889 vol 333 cc974-5
MR. BUCHANAN (Edinburgh,W.)

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether the Government have determined to refer to the same Select Committee the question of the administration of the Woods and Forests Department, and that of the disposal of Crown rights (especially of fishing) in Scotland by that Department, or whether they will adopt the view suggested by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in the debate on 8th November, and have a separate Select Committee mainly of Scottish Members to investigate the latter subject?

* MR. W. H. SMITH

The terms of reference to the proposed Committee on the Woods and Forests Department will not exclude the disposal of Crown rights in Scotland from being investigated.

MR. BUCHANAN

But has not the Government determined to make a special reference to this subject on the ground that the Woods and Forests Department would not be the best tribunal to inquire into the question raised by the Scotch Members?

* MR. W. H. SMITH

It would be difficult to exclude from the consideration of the Committee dealing with the administration of the Woods and Forests Department the question of the adminis- tration of any part of the duties intrusted to them; and the Government, while quite willing to consider the question, would be unwilling to multiply Committees and to make a greater demand on the time of Members than appears to be absolutely necessary. But if it should appear that a Special Committee is necessary, the Government will not refuse it.

MR. MARJORIBANKS (Berwickshire)

Are we to understand that the Government has decided not to refer the subject of the Scottish salmon fisheries to a Select Committee?

* MR. W. H. SMITH

The right hon. Gentleman will see that the question of salmon fisheries is a question quite distinct from this question.

MR. BUCHANAN

Would it not be possible to refer the question of fishing rights in Scotland to the same Committee that the Government have expressed their intention of appointing, and will the Government say that until that inquiry is carried out no more sales of Crown rights in fishing will be made?

* THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Mr. GOSCHEN,) St. George's, Hanover Square

There has been no undertaking whatever to appoint a Committee. In the course of the debate to which reference has been made an impression was formed in my own mind, and gave expression to that impression; but there was no pledge whatever, and the statement just made by the First Lord of the Treasury ought, it seems to me, to satisfy the hon. Member. If it should be found that the matter cannot be satisfactorily dealt with by one Committee, it will be the duty of the Government to consider the matter; but meantime the hon. Member is aware of the promise given by the Treasury on the subject.