§ MR. CROMBIEI beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether he is aware that a large number of line fishermen round the British coasts, and 507 especially the coast of Scotland, are mainly dependent for the pursual of their calling on a supply of mussels for bait; that, in consequence of the exhaustion of many of our home mussel beds, and the lack of culture of others, the supply of home mussels is both entirely inadequate and inferior in quality; and that the best mussels are being imported at great expense and inconvenience from Holland; and, whether Her Majesty's Government, with a view of remedying this, will institute an Inquiry into the causes of the deficiency of our home mussel beds, and the successful culture of mussels abroad?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR,) Manchester, E.said he was informed that the reports on the subject would shortly be published and circulated. After that the Government would consider what steps should be taken.