§ MR. G. MURNAGHAN (Tyrone, Mid)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland (1) has his attention been called to the fact that the Irish fishing industry is in a very unsatisfactory condition, as shown by the return relating to the sea fisheries, lately published by the Board of Trade; (2) whether he is aware that the chief cause of the decline of this industry is due to the fact that the small Irish boats are obliged to fish near home as they can neither follow the fish to their constantly changing feeding grounds, nor when a good catch is made can it be taken to the best market; that the resources of the Irish sea fisheries remain undeveloped for want of capital; and that the number of first-class Irish boats, though always small, diminishes year by year; and (3) in view of the grave interests involved will the Government make a grant to encourage and build up this decaying industry?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURIt is not correct to describe the Irish sea fisheries as being a declining industry. The Board of Trade return mentions that the quantity of fish landed on the Irish coasts in 1896 was 843,062 cwt., but explains that these figures are subject to alteration. I have now ascertained that the correct figures for 1896, which were not available when the return, was published, are 986,692 cwt. These figures show an increase over former years, amounting to 41 per cent, over the quantity landed in 1895, and to 62 per cent, as compared with 1892. With regard to the number of boats employed, it is true there has been a slight decrease in the number of first-class boats, but if boats of the first, second, and third classes be taken into account it will be seen that there has been no diminution in the aggregate. In reference to the last paragraph, the hon. Member has overlooked the fact that a considerable sum of money has been expended by the Congested Districts Board on fishery schemes. The steps taken by the Board to promote the Irish fisheries are fully detailed in their various published reports, and a reference to the last report will show that down to March 31st, 1896, the total expenditure on fishery schemes amounted to £53,290.