§ MR. JACKS (Stirlingshire)I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland if his attention had been drawn to the case of alleged salmon poaching in the Allan, near Airthrey Paper Mills, Bridge of Allan, where two bailiffs watched a lad take a salmon from the river and did not in any way offer to prevent him; if he is aware that the action on the part of the bailiffs caused great irritation in the district; and if he can see his way to give instructions that in future water bailiffs should endeavour to prevent as well as to secure convictions in cases of poaching?
§ SIR G. TREVELYANFrom the report which I have read the account given in the question is correct. I have no power to give instructions to water bailiffs; but if a case of imprisonment is brought before me for consideration in which the act of poaching might have been prevented by the bailiffs, and was not prevented, I shall give that circumstance due weight. In this instance the fine was paid, as far as I can see, by the lawyer who was defending the prisoner.