HC Deb 09 July 1900 vol 85 cc957-8
MR. GIBSON BOWLES

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade, is he aware that there has been a scarcity of sprats in the seas adjacent to the United Kingdom during the last ten years, and can he state what is the cause of this scarcity; and if not, will he take steps to inquire into its cause, or will he, without inquiry, introduce legislation tending to bring the scarcity to an end.

MR. RITCHIE

The returns of the quantities of sprats taken from year to year show great fluctuations, owing to many causes, including the state of the weather, but the returns before 1890 are not sufficiently complete to enable me to compare the last ten years with the previous ten years. The average annual quantity for the five years ending 1899 is in excess of that for the previous five years. I have no reason to think that an inquiry would lead to any useful result or that legislation on the subject is desirable.

MR. JAMES LOWTHER

Will the right hon. Gentleman refer this matter to the Undersized Fish Bill Committee?

MR. GIBSON BOWLES

The right hon. Gentleman has failed to answer the part of my question as to the came of the scarcity. He must know what the cause is.

MR. RITCHIE

The hon. Member is quite as likely to know as I am.

MR. FLYNN (Cork, N.)

Is it due to the fact that large quantities of "sardines" are consumed in this country?