§ SIR J. JARDINE (Roxburghshire)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether any of the rights of the Crown to salmon fisheries in the River Tweed near Neidpath, and adjacent reaches of the river in Peeblesshire, have been alienated or demised to private individuals; and, if so, for what term of years and at what rent.
§ THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY (Mr. HOBHOUSE) Bristol. E.The Answer is in the negative. I have requested the Commissioners of Wood and Forests to enter into negotiations with the town council of Peebles with a view to that body leasing the 404 fishing in the part of the Tweed referred to.
§ SIR J. JARDINEHave no leases been granted by the Crown?
§ * MR. HOBHOUSEThis matter has been under my very careful consideration and investigation. There has been no lease of any property rights, so far as I can ascertain, to any riparian owner on the Tweed. The Crown has certain rights which it is essential should be maintained, and I think the best method of preserving them, and of meeting public sentiment in the locality referred to above, is to lease them to town councils and other public bodies, when these will pay a fair rent.