§ MAJOR RASCH (Essex, S.E.)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether, as it is doubtful if the "culch" in the Blackwater, Essex, is Crown property, and as action calculated to lead to riot is being taken by the Tollesbury fishermen against the Burnham dredgermen for removing it, he will protect the Burnham men in the exercise of rights hitherto admittedly legal, and which are necessary to them in the conduct of their trade?
§ MR. DODD (Essex, Maldon)Could not these public fishing-grounds be protected by putting in force the Crown rights?
§ MR. MUNDELLAWhatever may be the merits of the claims involved in this case, it is not within the province of the Board of Trade to determine them. The protection of those who may be disturbed in the exercise of legal rights is a matter for the police, and I understand that proceedings before Magistrates are now pending.
§ MR. DODDHas the right hon. Gentleman taken the opinion of the Law Officers of the Crown on the subject?
§ MR. MUNDELLAI believe that has been done.