§ MR. HARRY FOSTERI beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that at a large and representative meeting of smackowners, fish salesmen, fishermen, and others engaged 630 in the fishing trade, held at Lowestoft on the 4th instant, resolutions were unanimously passed earnestly requesting the hon. Member for the Lowestoft Division of Suffolk to oppose the Sea Fisheries Amendment Bill now before the House, and expressing the opinion that no legislation for the objects stated in Part I. of the Bill will be satisfactory or equitable to the British fishing industry unless they are of an international character; and whether, in view of the opposition of so important a section of the fishing industry, he will either withdraw Part I. of the Bill, or will ensure that a proper opportunity shall be afforded for its discussion on the Motion for the Second Reading?
§ MR. BRYCEI have not received any information regarding the meeting referred to in the question, but considering that the hon. Member who puts it is, so far as I know, the only English Member who opposes this Bill, and considering that all the fisheries committees in England and Wales are in favour of it, and that it was asked for unanimously by the conference of sea fisheries committees last summer, and by the recent sea fisheries conference at Fishmongers' Hall, Her Majesty's Government will certainly not withdraw Part I. of the Bill.
§ MR. T. GIBSON BOWLES (Lynn Regis)Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that I also opposed the Bill?
§ MR. HARRY FOSTERasked whether, as the right hon. Gentleman would not withdraw the Bill, he would take care that it was brought in for discussion at a reasonable hour in the evening, and not put it off until after midnight?
§ Mr. BRYCEsaid, that this was one of the Bills with respect to which the Government were anxious to save time.