§ MR. AINSWORTH (Argyllshire)I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland whether his attention has been drawn to the quantity of spawning herrings now being brought into the Glasgow market; and whether he will impress upon the Fishery Board the necessity of taking immediate steps to prevent the taking of such fish, and to avoid the damage to which the herring-fishing trade of the West of Scotland is in consequence exposed.
§ MR. SINCLAIRI am advised that it is a fundamental fact of the herring fishery that the fish are at their very best when spawning, and all efforts are put forth to take them at that time, when they command the highest price in the market. The herring approaches the Scottish coasts to spawn, and to prohibit their capture would do serious injury to the herring fishing industry. I am aware that the herring fishing in the Firth of Clyde has recently been very successful.
§ MR. WATTasked if a meeting of Clyde fishermen had not unanimously voted in favour of a close time for the Clyde? And would the right hon. Gentleman give effect to that desire?
§ MR. SINCLAIRI think the hon. Member for the College Division will 1039 find an Answer to his interrogation in the Question of the hon. Member for South Ayrshire.