HC Deb 29 March 1892 vol 3 cc163-4
* SIR E. BIRKBECK

I desire to put a question to my hon. Friend, of which I have not been able to give him private notice. I would ask him whether he is aware that Clause 15 of the Military Lands Consolidation Bill, read a second time last night, seriously affects the rights of fishermen, coasting traders, and others; whether he will defer the appointment of a Select Committee until the Target Practice Seawards Committee have reported; and whether he is aware that the Bill will affect the interests referred to at Plymouth, the Needles passage of the Solent, a portion of the sea near Portsmouth, a portion of the Thames near Sheerness, and Cork Harbour?

MR. BRODRICK

I am not aware of the points to which the hon. Baronet refers, but I think if he will consult the Bills which are here consolidated, he will find that we are only dealing with the present state of the law. I would suggest to the hon. Baronet that when the Select Committee is appointed, that will be the proper opportunity for bringing on such points and for calling attention to them, and I will under take, as far as I have the power, to see that the interests which he suggests are properly represented on the Select Committee.

* SIR E. BIRKBECK

Might I point out to the hon. Member——

MR. SPEAKER

Order, order!

* SIR E. BIRKBECK

I would ask my hon. Friend whether he is aware that the Committee on Target Practice Seawards has only just commenced its proceedings, and that the Committee has to go down to Plymouth and other places and make inquiries, and whether he will defer the appointment of a Select Committee till evidence has been brought before the Target Practice Committee and they have been able to report?

MR. FLYNN (Cork, N.)

Might I ask if the War Office have not received several complaints from the Cork Harbour Commissioners as to this target sea practice?

MR. BRODRICK

I am not aware that such complaints have been received. As regards the question of the hon. Baronet, the best course would be not to move the Select Committee this week, and if he will kindly renew his question on a subsequent occasion I will undertake to give him an answer on the points he has raised.