HC Deb 25 July 1898 vol 62 cc1148-9
MR.FENWICK (Northumberland, Wansbeck)

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the line fishermen of the North-east coast are continually subject to loss of property by the action of trawling vessels; and, if so, whether he will consent to the appointment early next Session of a Select Committee to consider the question with a view to further legislation on the subject?

THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE (Mr. C. T. RITCHIE,) Croydon

At a meeting of representatives of sea fishery authorities over which I presided last month, reference was made (by the chairman of the Coquet district) to losses inflicted upon some of the Northumberland inshore fishermen 'by the action of the crews of vessels trawling in contravention of local by-laws, but I have not received any other complaints on this subject. The representation made at the meeting appeared to be not so much in favour of further legislation as in favour of more vigorous enforcement of existing by-laws. In these circumstances, I do not think that there is any need for the appointment of a Committee, but, as promised at the meeting, the means by which the by-laws of the Fishery Committees may best be enforced will receive careful consideration in each case.