§ 54. Mr. WINGasked the First Lord of the Admiralty if anything can be done to prevent the firing of naval guns near to the shore during the herring season on the north-east coast, as such practice has a detrimental effect on the coming of the herring and causes loss on those engaged in the herring fisheries; and will he consider the advisability of making arrangements for firing further out to sea or postponement until the herring season is over so far as the north-east coast is concerned?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the ADMIRALTY (Dr. Macnamara)I am not aware that the movements of the herring are affected by gun-firing. The Admiralty would require definite evidence before allowing the exercises of the fleet to be governed by this consideration.
§ Major ANSTRUTHER-GRAYIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a very great consensus of opinion amongst the fishermen in Scotland upon this subject?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAWhenever we receive representations from them we always treat them with a considerable amount of sympathy and all the officers of the fleet are provided with means of avoiding damages to the nets in the waters of the British Isles.