§ MR. CATHCART WASON (Orkney and Shetland)To ask the Secretary to the Treasury if he will state what price has been paid, or is to be paid, by the purchaser from the woods and forests of certain foreshore rights of fishing in Orkney; what sum the purchaser has contracted to expend for the improvement of the fishing; if such sum has been expended, and under whose direction; when the regulations will be issued providing for free fair rod fishing for the public; and if in the agreement for sale there is provision that the purchaser shall not net by himself or others as against the public.
(Answered by Mr. Austen Chamberlain.) The proprietor of the Islands of Hoy, Fara, and Rysa Little has a lease from the Crown of its salmon and sea trout fishing rights in these islands for three years from Martinmas 1900, with an option of purchase for £210, subject to notice of the intention to exercise such option being given six months before the expiration of the lease, and to certain works for the improvement of the 1265 fishing being carried out by him according to plans previously approved by the Commissioner of Woods. No particular sum was contracted to be spent. The works have, with certain modifications mutually agreed upon, boon carried out under the supervision of a surveyor employed by the proprietor. The issuing of regulations as to fishing by the public is still under consideration, but it may not be possible to deal with the matter until the option of purchase is exercised or allowed to lapse. There is no provision in the agreement that the purchaser shall not net.