§ MR. LONSDALE (Armagh, Mid)I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the captain of His Majesty's cruiser "Brilliante" has assured masters of American fishing vessels that the modus vivendi rendered them immune from penalty under the Colonial Bait Act if they hired Newfoundlanders outside the three-mile limit; whether the same! officer has notified the Colonial fishery inspector that he intended framing rules for the conduct of the herring fishery; and, if so, whether these announcements have been made with the authority of His Majesty's Government; and whether the Newfoundland Cabinet have protested against these proceedings.
§ MR. CHURCHILLNo such statement as that attributed to Captain Anstruther has been made by him to masters of American fishing vessels, nor has he framed any rules for the conduct of the herring fishery. All that he has done in this latter respect is to identify himself with a movement among the two sets of fishermen looking to the conclusion, in the interests of the amicable conduct of the joint fishery, of a voluntary working arrangement. The Colonial Government have protested against Captain Anstruther's action, but apparently under a misunderstanding as to the true facts of the case.