SIR GEORGE CAMPBELL&c.) (Kirkcaldy,I beg to ask the Lord Advocate whether the Royal Commission on Scotch Salmon Fisheries have concluded their proceedings; whether, in addition to examining those who are officially responsible for what has been done, they have given the fishermen round the coasts and fishers on the rivers full opportunity of explaining their grievances; and how many of them have been examined?
§ A LORD OF THE TREASURY (Sir H. MAXWELL,) WigtonshireAs I had the honour of being Chairman of this Commission, perhaps the hon. Member will allow me to answer the question. The Commissioners have concluded their inquiry, and will shortly meet to consider their Report. Every opportunity was given to fishermen interested in the?question to give evidence, notice having been inserted in the newspapers of the meetings and inviting the attendance of witnesses. None, however, came for ward, except at Berwick-on-Tweed and Dumfries, at each of which places the Commission held a meeting. The evidence of 12 fishermen was offered and taken.
§ SIR G. CAMPBELLWhere did the Commissioners sit? Did they visit the localities along the coast in order to give an opportunity to the fishermen to be heard?
§ SIR H. MAXWELLThe Commissioners held sittings in Edinburgh, and also at any other place where they were invited to go.
§ SIR G. CAMPBELLWere they invited to go to any place on the East Coast?
§ SIR H. MAXWELLYes. My right hon. Friend the Member for Berwickshire (Mr. Marjoribanks) invited them to visit Berwick, and they went there. They were also invited to go to Dumfries, on the West Coast.