§ MK. WEIRI beg to ask the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, whether he is aware that in 1901–2 a bye-law was passed by the Wye Board of Conservators, and sanctioned by the Board of Trade, which prohibited under heavy penalty the use of the drift net in the commercial salmon fisheries of the Wye in Herefordshire for the fixed period of four years from that date; is he aware that, although the operation of this bye-law has proved disastrous to the fishermen formerly engaged in the salmon fisheries, the Wye Board of Conservators have ro-enacted the bye-law for a further period of three years from 16th August of the present year, and have applied to the Board of Agriculture for confirmation; will he state whether he has received any petitions or memorials praying that his sanction will not be given to such bye-laws; and, if so, will he lay them upon the Table of the House before coming to a decision.
§ SIR EDWARD STRACHEY (Somersetshire, S.)We have received from the Wye Board of Conservators an application for the confirmation of a bye-law 1372 prohibiting the use of the drift net in inland waters for a further period of three years. Certain communications have been received objecting to the confirmation of the bye-law, which will be fully considered by my noble friend before coming to a decision, but it would be contrary to practice to lay them on the Table.