§ MR. WEIRI beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland whether, having regard to the fact that the Government on the 28th of March, 1893, had it in contemplation to arrange for licences being granted to fish salmon and other fish of the salmon kind around the coast of Scotland, he will state if such an arrangement has now been decided upon; and, if so, how many licences have been granted, the cost of each licence, and whether public notice has been given that such licences may be obtained by fishermen?
§ THE SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY (Sir J. T. HIBBERT,) OldhamPerhaps I may be allowed to answer this question. Mr. Stafford Howard, the Commissioner in charge of the Land Revenues of the Crown in Scotland, is about to invite applications by public advertisement for licences at certain places in the Counties of Argyll, Ayr, Inverness, and Ross. He is also about to visit the East Coast of Scotland, in order to ascertain by personal inquiry and inspection what should be done in regard to granting licences to fish for salmon in the sea. No licences have yet been granted, and in regard to the East Coast district the fishings are at present held under leases which do not expire until Martinmas next.
§ DR. MACGREGOR (Inverness)Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the propriety of giving County Councils in Scotland control over these licences?
§ SIR G. TREVELYANI will consider it, but I may point out that Mr. Stafford since he has been at the work has shown a great desire to adopt a wide and generous policy in this matter.