§ MR. BIGNOLD (Wick Burghs)I beg to ask the Lord Advocate if the attention of the Government has been directed to the letting by the Crown of the sea trout fishings on the shores of Orkney to individual proprietors; and whether, in view of the conditions under which these fishing rights have been hitherto exercised by the public, the present temporary arrangements will be reconsidered.
§ MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAINI will, with permission, answer this Question. There have been two cases in Orkney in which the Crown right to fish for fish of the salmon kind includ- 190 ing sea trout has been let, one in 1900, and one in 1901. In one case the lessee is to be allowed to purchase the right on completion at his own expense, of extensive works for the improvement of the fishings and subject to definite obligations as to allowing fishing by the public on reasonable terms to be sanctioned by the Secretary for Scotland. In the other case the letting is also subject to a condition as regards permission to the public to fish and is terminable at short notice should occasion arise.