HC Deb 13 July 1908 vol 192 cc422-3
MR. WILLIAMSON (Elgin and Nairn)

I beg to ask the Prime Minister if he can now state whether the Cabinet have yet concluded their consideration of the Moray Firth question; and if he can fix a date before the adjournment of the House on which their decision will be announced.

MR. ASQUITH

I consider it very doubtful whether the Government Departments which are now considering this complicated question will have been able to arrive at a decision before the House adjourns.

MR. WILLIAMSON

Has the attention of the right hon. Gentleman been directed to the gravity of the position and the great dissatisfaction caused by the delay?

MR. ASQUITH

No, Sir.

MR. PIRIE

In considering this question will the paramount importance of prohibiting the landing at English ports of trawl caught fish from the Moray Firth be borne in mind?

MR. ASQUITH

All these points have been or are being considered.

MR. PIRIE

But was not such a prohibition the best means of solving the difficulty?

MR. ASQUITH

I cannot decide as to the relative merits of the different proposals.