17. Major-General Sir CECIL LOWTHERasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that the Derwent Board of Conservators have built a fish-pass at Cockermouth at great cost, and that they were encouraged to do this by the assurances of an Inspector of the Ministry of Agriculture that a Government grant would be forthcoming to assist in defraying the cost; and whether he can hold out any hope of a Government grant being given to help towards this very material improvement of the Derwent Fishery?
Sir A. BOSCAWENI am aware of the construction of the fish pass and of its cost, and I understand that, as a result of conversations with a late Inspector of the Ministry, the Board were led to believe that they would receive a grant in aid of its construction. No undertaking to this effect was ever given by the Ministry, and no Inspector of the Ministry had authority to give such an undertaking on its behalf. I am sorry that the Fishery Board should have been misled, but I cannot admit that my Department has incurred any responsibility in the matter, nor can I hold out any hope of a grant from the Exchequer in relief of the liabilities which the Fishery Board has in cur red.
Sir CECIL LOWTHERWould the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of circulating instructions to the servants of the Ministry not to make statements which tend to mislead Fishery Boards and others?
Sir A. BOSCAWENYes, Sir, I quite agree. Such instructions have been circulated. In this case apparently this was a mere conversation by a district inspector, who has since died.