MR. CATHCARTWASON (Orkney and Shotland)I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland if he has received a memorial signed by Members of Parliament interested in the fishing industry, cordially supporting the petition of the Shetland Herring and Whale Fishery Association that he will appoint a Commission of Inquiry to visit Shetland at an early date to inquire into, and report upon, 773 the whaling question; and if he will appoint such a Commission.
§ THE SECRETARY FOR SCOTLAND (Mr. SINCLAIR,) ForfarshireI have received the memorial referred to. I may remind my hon. friend that the Act passed last session to regulate the whaling industry has only recently come into operation and it is inexpedient to appoint a Commission of inquiry until time has been given to test the sufficiency of the regulations now imposed. I am, however, alive to the importance of the question and shall instruct the Fishery Board to cause the closest observation to be made during the current season as to the respective operations of the herring fleet and the whaling steamers on the coast of Shetland, with a view to a report upon the working of the existing Act.