HC Deb 10 March 1892 vol 2 cc503-4
COLONEL WARING(for Mr. PENROSE FITZGERALD,) Cambridge

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty if his attention has been drawn to the recent affrays in Cork Harbour between water bailiffs and poachers; whether he is aware that shots have been interchanged; and whether it is his intention, considering the grave danger to the public peace and to the lives of the inhabitants, to order the coastguard to patrol the river, and prevent this illegal fishing as they formerly did?

THE FIRST LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY (Lord G. HAMILTON, Middlesex,) Ealing

The coastguard officer has reported that shots were fired, not at, but by, the water bailiffs of the River Lea on three occasions during the past month. The affrays occurred, however, a considerable distance inland, and beyond the limits of the guards supplied by the coastguard station. The coastguard have received instruction to report any infraction of the Salmon Fishery Laws which they may observe, and they will co-operate so far as they can with the authorities who enforce these fishery regulations, but I am very doubtful if it would be expedient to take the coastguard away from the performance of their duties along the sea coast, in order to undertake police duties in inland or river waters.

MR. P. O'BRIEN (Monaghan, N.)

May I ask if the Government intend to prosecute the bailiffs who fired the shots?

LORD G. HAMILTON

That is not a question which ought to be addressed to me.