§ SIR HERBERT MAXWELL (Wigton)I beg to ask the Lord Advocate whether the attention of Her Majesty's Government has been given to the desire in many districts of Scotland, as expressed in public meetings, in petitions to this honourable House, and in the principal newspapers published in Scotland, for the enactment of an annual close time for freshwater trout, such as exists in England and Ireland; and whether it is the intention of the Government to introduce legislation to that end.
§ THE LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. A. GRAHAM MURRAY, Buteshire)As my right hon. friend is no doubt aware, the Government introduced a Bill last year for the purpose indicated by him, and hoped that it might have passed as an uncontroversial measure of useful reform, but they were disappointed. The Secretary for Scotland sees no reason to change his opinion that the enactment of such a measure is very generally desired throughout Scotland, and would be glad to give effect to the policy in favour of such legislation if, having regard to the demands on the time of Parliament, it were found to be possible.