§ LORD ABINGERsaid, that the Motion with which he should conclude differed slightly from that which he had placed on the Paper, as he had been informed that the information first asked for could not be given. Possibly some difficulty might arise in giving a Return where the valuation rolls had not been made up for ten years—in that case, he proposed that Returns should be given for the number of years with regard to which the roll did exist. As their Lordships might be aware, last week he had the honour of heading a deputation to the Home Office upon this subject, and on that occasion he stated the desire of the Scotch proprietors that there should be an amendment of the law, particularly in reference to the inspectors. There were inspectors in England and also in Ireland, but there were none in Scotland, and it would be impossible to carry out the provisions of the Act unless inspectors were appointed, and he hoped Her Majesty's Government would bring in a Bill to amend the Act of 1862, and from the answer he had received from the Home Secretary he had hopes that that would be done. He would therefore now ask whether Her Majesty's Government have considered the subject, and if there is any prospect of a Bill being introduced? The noble Lord then moved an Address for—
Return of the rent or value of the stake or bag-net fishings in Scotland as the same appear in the valuation roll of the counties or burghs within which such fishings are situate, with their rental for each year as shown in the valuation rolls for the last ten years.
THE EARL OF MORLEYsaid, there was no objection to the Return in the amended form. Of course, the Return could only be for the number of years during which the valuation roll had existed. With regard to the Question of the noble Lord, he could only say that he was not in a position to be able to give him any definite answer.
§ House adjourned at a quarter past Seven o'clock, till To morrow, half past Ten o'clock