§ MR. SETON-KARR (St. Helens)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the fishery laws for the protection of salmon in the River Bann and in other Irish rivers are systematically evaded: that the fixed railings in the salmon boxes in the River Bann at Coleraine are not lifted at the weekly close time; and that it is the practice, when draughting for salmon in the River Bann, by means of a second net to constitute a fixed engine and leave no gaps; whether he is aware that since the month of June has been included in the eel-fishing season thousands of salmon smelt are killed in the eel nets in the River Bann; whether he will cause inquiry to be made into 766 these and other alleged illegal practices; and whether, as there is a Bill now before this House entitled the Salmon Fisheries (Ireland) Acts Amendment Bill, which was unanimously agreed to and reported to this House by a Select Committee in 1892 after evidence thereon had been taken, the Government will give facilities for the discussion of the said Bill in this House this session.
§ *MR. G. W. BALFOURI am informed that the weekly close season is carefully observed not only on the River Bann, but also in other parts of the Coleraine Fishery district, and that openings are regularly made in the salmon boxes in order to allow a free passage for fish during the weekly close time. There are two draft nets used in the tidal parts of the river, one of which is shot after the other is hauled. This, I am told, is quite lawful, and does not cause an obstruction to the fish in anything more than the owners have a legal right to do. The nets are only used at times, and cannot at any time be used more than about 10 hours out of 24. In the fresh water only one net is used at any one place. As regards the second and third paragraphs, I understand that salmon fry have been taken in eel nets in June. In June of last year a number of salmon fry were taken in the eel nets at Movanagher, and a number were dead. If the eel fishing is carried on at either Portna or Movanagher in June, the nets would kill all the fry that would come into them, and no care could save them owing to the shallow water and quick stream. At Toome eel fishery the water is deep and the current light, and with care fry can he taken and put back to the river alive, but not if there is a good quantity of eel. Two bailiffs are on the Toome eel fishery in June for the purpose of looking after the salmon fry while the eel nets are fishing, and inquiry will be made as to the quantity of fry that may he killed by eel nets during this month. I do not think it will he possible to give facilities for the discussion of the Bill mentioned in the last paragraph during the present session, and I may remind my hon. friend that the subject of the inland fisheries and fishery laws in Ireland is about to be inquired into by a Viceregal Commission.
§ MR. SETON-KARRArising out of the answer to the last paragraph, is the right hon. Gentleman aware that I have 767 introduced that Bill every session for the past seven years; will he not under the circumstances consider the possibility of the giving facilities for discussing it this year?
§ *MR. G. W. BALFOURThat does not rest with me.