§ Captain WARINGasked the Secretary to the Treasury whether the salmon fishings in Banffshire of Ballintore, Shand-wick, Rockfield, Geanies, and Leafield are to be let by the Commissioners of Woods and Forests privately to a syndicate instead of as hitherto by public tender; and, if so, whether he will reconsider the proceeding in view of the fact that such a course, if persisted in, would cause hardship to the inhabitants of the districts concerned?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEAs explained in reply to a question on 18th April last, the Commissioner has entered into an agreement for the letting of these fisheries to a company with the object of preventing the regrettable decrease of fish on the coast. The agreement is, however, provisional, and subject to the approval of the Treasury; and, having regard to the representations which have been made since it was concluded, further inquiries will be made before a final decision on the subject is arrived at.