§ 20. Mr. EUGENE WASONasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether his attention has-been called to a speech made by Mr. H. G. Maurice, C.B., representing the Board of Agriculture at the annual general meeting of the National Sea Fisheries Protection Association, held at Fishmongers' Hall on the 21st June, advocating the abolition of the boards of fishery in Scotland and Ireland, in order that there should be one central administration for fisheries in England, Scotland, and Ireland; whether Mr. Maurice was speaking with the sanction of the English Board of Agriculture and Fisheries; and whether it is the practice of that Board to permit officials to advocate a policy which has not been considered by the Board or by the Government?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of AGRICULTURE (Mr. Acland)I have seen a report of the speech in which Mr. Maurice stated very clearly that he had no authority to commit the Board or the Government, but wished to say something off his own bat. The answer to the last part of the question is that there is no established practice in the matter, and that where, as in this ease, the policy advocated has been that recommended by two Royal Commissions and to some considerable extent by Select and Departmental Committees, the Board would not consider that the discretion which ought to be observed in such matters had been infringed.
§ Mr. WASONMay I ask whether this gentleman did not in the same speech say 1221 that his object was that Scotland and England might be set by the ears and whether such a policy would not have that effect?
§ Mr. ACLANDHe seems to have succeeded to that extent of this question.
§ Mr. ACLANDNo, Sir, for the reasons stated in the answer.
§ Mr. ACLANDI do not think the English Board has consulted Scottish opinion on the matter, for the reasons stated.