HC Deb 02 February 1891 vol 349 cc1514-5
MR. FRASER-MACKINTOSH (Invernessshire)

I beg to ask the Lord Advocate whether he is aware that much dissatisfaction prevails in Scotland in consequence of the alienations in recent years of the Crown rights to salmon fishings in Scotland; and whether he is now in a position to state the intention of Government in reference to the Report and Recommendations of the Committee appointed to inquire into these Crown rights?

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

I am not aware that much dissatisfaction prevails in Scotland in consequence of the alienations in recent years of the Crown's rights to salmon fishings in Scotland. The evidence given before the Commissioners does not disclose the prevalence of dissatisfaction on this subject, and the Commissioners report that — The Commissioners of Woods and Forests have acted judiciously in disposing by sale of some of the fishings of which they had previously ascertained the average value by letting under tender; and that in their opinion no injury was done to the public in disposing of what is not a property held in trust by the Crown for the public, but part of the patrimonium of the Crown, to the owners of lands ex adverso the fishings. In reply to the second paragraph, Her Majesty's Government have not had the opportunity of considering the question in conjunction with the Secretary for Scotland owing to his Lordship's illness; but I may point out that, as regards the recommendations relating exclusively to Crown fishings, the Committee were not unanimous, and that one out of the three members of the Committee expressed himself as decidedly opposed to any exceptional treatment of Crown fishings—an opinion in which he is supported by a considerable number of witnesses who appeared before the Committee, and by several of the District Fishery Boards, who have since memorialised the Government on the subject. The recommendations of the Committee as to enforcing the removal of illegal fixed engines and the removal of natural obstructions which impede the passage of salmon to the spawning grounds are clearly desirable in the interest of the public at large; and, when an opportunity occurs for introducing a Bill to amend the Scotch Salmon Fishery Acts, these recommendations will not be lost sight of.