§ Mr. GEORGE ROBERTSasked the Prime Minister if his attention has been directed to a petition recently presented to the House on behalf of the Mayor and Corporation of the City of Norwich, and a number of the inhabitants of Norfolk and Suffolk and other persons interested in the preservation and free opening of the Norfolk Broads and rivers, praying that a Royal Commission be set up, with a view to public and private rights being clearly 1084 ascertained and legally defined; and whether he can now state his decision in response to the prayer of the petitioners?
§ The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Asquith)I have seen a copy of the Petition referred to by the hon. Member. I understand that the Conservators who exercise supervision over the waters in question have applied for a Provisional Order under the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act, 1907, and that a preliminary inquiry into this Order will shortly be held. The Order does not cover the whole of the ground raised by the hon. Member, but until the inquiry has been completed it would, I think, be premature to consider the appointment of a Royal Commission.