HC Deb 01 August 1890 vol 347 cc1550-1
MR. M'CARTAN

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether his attention has been called to the last Report of the Inspectors of Irish Fisheries, where it is shown, at page 11, that, of the 62,952 mease of herrings captured along the Irish Coast during the year 1889, there were landed at Ardglass, Annalong, and Kilkeel, on the County Down Coast, 29,732, or nearly one-half of the total number captured: whether he is aware that Newcastle is situated between Kilkeel and Ardglass, and, though well adapted for a good fishing station, it has now no harbour accommodation; whether he has seen the Report of the Divisional Officer of Coastguards (page 41), in which he states— At Newcastle there are the ruined remains of a harbour, at present almost useless, which might at a moderate expenditure be made useful for fishermen and others; And whether, considering the Report of this officer, and that Newcastle is situated at the very centre of the Irish herring fishery district, he will consider the desirability of providing harbour accommodation, to enable the fishermen of the district to follow and develop the fishing industry there with some degree of safety to their lives?

* THE SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY (Mr. JACKSON,) Leeds, N.

I have seen the report referred to, but I think, as far as I can judge, it indicates that the line which it is proposed should be made to Ardglass will, perhaps, tap the traffic better than to any other point; but I am afraid I cannot hold out any hope as to the expenditure of money for the proposed Newcastle line.

MR. M'CARTAN

The reply of the right hon. Gentleman does not touch the real point at all.

* MR. JACKSON

The hon. Member is aware that I visited Newcastle, and went into the whole question whether I ought to recommend any expenditure of the public money in connection with the harbour. I came to the conclusion that I could not, and I am afraid that I cannot depart from that decision.

MR. M'CARTAN

Were there any local Representatives to meet the right hon. Gentleman?

MR. JACKSON

I think I can depend upon my own power of seeing what was necessary in the case.