HC Deb 18 February 1915 vol 69 cc1308-9
11. Sir J. LONSDALE

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) the amount of the Grants given by the Department to the Board of Conservators of the Lee Fishery, county Cork, in the years 1913 and 1914, and the purpose for which these Grants are given; if he will state the number of illegal and illegally used nets seized during the years 1913 and 1914 in Cork Harbour, and how many of these nets were confiscated by order of the magistrates; if he is aware of the number of nets seized which were returned by the Board's officials to the owners; if he will state the number of offences against the fishery laws reported by the Board's head water bailiff between 23rd December, 1913, and 17th April, 1914, and explain why no proceedings were taken in any of these cases; and if he will direct an inquiry to be instituted into the exercise by this Board of its powers?

Mr. RUSSELL

In each of the financial years 1913–14 and 1914–15 a grant of £360 was made to the Board of Conservators of the Cork Fishery District. The Grants were made for the general purposes of the Board. The Clerk to the Board has reported to the Department that, in the years 1913 and 1914 the number of illegal or illegally used nets seized was ninety-three; the number of these confiscated by order of magistrates was six. Of the nets seized, none were returned to the owners by the Board's officials without a magistrate's order; one offence against the fishery laws was reported by the? Board's head water bailiff between 23rd December, 1913, and 17th April, 1914; no proceedings were taken in this case, as no defendant could be named. The Department have not had before them any information which would justify the institution of a special inquiry into the proceedings of the Board of Conservators.

Sir J. LONSDALE

Would the right hon. Gentleman inquire as to whether certain persons who subscribed to the funds of the Board were given permission to fish with nets in the close season?

Mr. RUSSELL

Yes. I will make any inquiries that may be thought desirable.