§ MR. GWYNN (Galway)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he has directed his attention to the case of net fishermen on the Shannon and other rivers whose means of livelihood may be endangered in the process of land transfer, where such transfer effects the ownership of fishery rights; and whether he will consider the advisability of inserting a clause in his amending Land Bill which would authorise the Estates Commissioners to purchase such rights and sell them to the fishermen who have previously leased them, the fishermen paying by instalments like agricultural tenants.
§ MR. BIRRELLIt has not been in contemplation to make legislative proposals which would empower advances to be made to fishermen for the purchase of fishery rights under the Land Purchase Acts. It is very doubtful whether fishery rights could be held to afford the same good security for advances which agricultural holdings afford. The question, however, will be fully considered.