§ MR. F. B. MILDMAY (Devon, Totnes)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the action of the contractors for the naval works at Devonport in removing large quantities of sand from the shores of the Start Bay; whether he will hold a local inquiry upon the allegations as to damage to fishermen's cottages and to the fishing industry likely to result therefrom; and whether he will in the meantime prevent further action of the kind?
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE (Mr. C.T. RITCHIE,) CroydonThe shores of Start Bay referred to by the hon. Member are under the control of the Commissioners of Her Majesty's Woods and Forests, who have granted the contractors a licence to remove materials therefrom—but, at my suggestion, a provision was inserted in the licence to enable it to be determined at three months notice. I will communicate with the Commissioners and cause inquiry to be made as to the likelihood damage being caused by the removal of the sand.