§ MR. CHARLES WILSON (Hull, W.)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade what action the Government 9 propose to take on the resolutions passed at a conference between the Hull and Grimsby Fishing Vessels Owners Association, held at Hull on the 6th January, at which a representative of the Board of Trade was present, in reference to the right of navigation of British fishing vessels in Icelandic waters, and the request for a British squadron to protect their rights?
§ MR. RITCHIEsaid he thought that was a question that ought to be addressed to the First Lord of the Admiralty.
§ MR. C. H. WILSONasked whether the Board of Trade would receive a deputation on this subject, as this fishing was about to commence?
§ MR. RITCHIEsaid he knew the matter was largely one for the Board of Trade, but the particular question which the hon. Gentleman desired to put was one in regard to which the Board of Trade had no jurisdiction. If the hon. Gentleman addressed the Question to the First Lord of the Admiralty he had no doubt his right hon. Friend would be able to give an answer.
§ MR. GEORGE DOUGHTY (Great Grimsby)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, seeing the great services rendered to the British fisheries by Commodore Atkinson of the training squadron in Icelandic waters during the summer of 1896, the Government will consider the request of the fishing trade to send a similar squadron into these seas for the protection of English fishermen during the coming season?
*MR. CURZONA ship will be sent into Icelandic waters in the forthcoming summer if circumstances at the time admit.
§ MR. WEIRasked whether the Government would consider the advisability of sending ships to protect the line fishermen on the coasts of Scotland instead of sending them to these isolated waters?