§ 88. Mr. ROYCEasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture if his attention has been drawn to the increase of seals in the Wash, and the consequent destruction of fish, thereby depriving the local fishermen of their means of livelihood; whether he is aware that this increase of seals is subsequent to the withdrawal of the payment by the Board 1686 of Trade of 10s per seal destroyed; and will he state what steps he now proposes to take to prevent the continued increase in the number of seals in the Wash?
Sir A. BOSCAWENComplaints were received from time to time before the War, but no representations have reached the Board on the subject since the summer of 1914. No reward for the destruction of seals has ever been paid by the Board of Trade. The Eastern Local Sea Fisheries-Committee offered rewards, first of 5s. and then of 10s. per head, in or about the years 1911 and 1912, but the Local Government Board auditor declined to allow the payments, which were accordingly discontinued. The Board have no powers, either by reward or otherwise, to secure the destruction of seals, but inquiries which were interrupted by the War will be resumed as soon as possible, with a view to considering what powers it may be necessary or desirable to seek.