§ MR. KEAY (Elgin and Nairn)I beg to ask the Lord Advocate whether the Act of 11th George 3, being an Act for the encouragement of the white herring fishery, is still unrepealed in regard to Scotland; whether his attention has been drawn to the provisions of cap. 31, sec. 11, under which every person or persons employed in such fishing are entitled to the free use of all shores and forelands in Great Britain, or the island belonging thereto,
Below the highest high water mark, and for the space of one hundred yards on any waste or uncultivated land beyond such mark,for landing and drying their nets, &c., and for making all structures necessary for curing fish, &c.,Without paying any foreland or other dues or any other sum or sums of money, or other consideration whatever for such liberty;and also to the further provision of the Act—That, if any person or persons shall presume to demand any such money or other consideration for the use of such shores or forelands, he shall for every such offence forfeit the sum of one hundred pounds;whether he is aware that fees for drying nets, and for permitting such necessary structures to be made on such shores and forelands, are now exacted by the landlords on the East and West Coasts of Scotland, and in the islands; and if the above quoted Act is in force, is Her Majesty's Government willing to take any steps to insure that effect is given to its provisions as above set forth?
§ * MR. J. P. B. ROBERTSONI am acquainted with the provisions of the Statute referred to, of which the section quoted and two others remain unrepealed. I have no information that fees are charged for the use for statutory 119 purposes of what is foreshore or waste or uncultivated land within 100 yards of high water mark. If the hon. Member will furnish me with specific instances of such charges I shall make inquiry regarding them.