HL Deb 11 June 1903 vol 123 cc617-9
LORD HENEAGE

My Lords, I beg to ask the President of the Board of Agriculture whether, as the Bill for the creation of a Fisheries Board has been prepared, His Majesty's Government will consider the desirability of introducing that measure in the House of Lords as early as possible, in view of its urgent necessity and the unavoidable delay which has already occurred. I would like to call the attention of my noble friend, whom I venture to congratulate on his appointment, to the circumstances under which this Question was put down. Last October there was a very large Sea Fisheries Conference held at Grimsby. A resolution was passed urging on the Government the necessity of establishing a Fisheries Department with increased status, and I was asked to arrange for a deputation to the Prime Minister during the present

Their Lordships divided:—Contents, 57; Not-contents, 17.

CONTENTS.
Canterbury, L. Abp. Romney, E. Burghclere, L.
Halsbury, E. (L. Chancellor.) Spencer, E. Clanwilliam, L. (E. Clanwilliam.
Devonshire, D. (L. President.) Stanhope, E. Colchester, L.
Norfolk, D. (E. Marshal.) Vane, E. (M. Londonderry.) Congleton, L.
Waldegrave, E. [Teller.[ Glanusk, L.
Grafton, D. Glenesk, L.
Manchester, D. Churchill, V. [Teller.] Hawkesbury, L.
Gordon, V. (E. Aberdeen.) Kelvin, L.
Bath, M. Goschen, V. Kenyon, L.
Lansdowne, M. Powerscourt, V. Killanin, L.
Ripon, M. Sidmouth, V. Lawrence, L.
Zetland, M. Leigh, L.
Abinger, L. Muncaster, L.
Belmore, E. Addington, L. Penrhyn, L.
Chesterfield, E. Ashcombe, L. Reay, L.
Coventry, E. Balfour, L. Ribblesdale, L.
Hardwicke, E. Barnard, L. Robertson, L.
Jersey, E. Belper, L. Sandhurst, L.
Lauderdale, E. Boyle, L. (E. Cork and Orrery.) Shute, L. (V. Barrington.)
Onslow, E. Brassey, L. Wolverton, L.
Portsmouth, E. Brougham and Vaux, L.
NOT-CONTENTS.
Camperdown, E. [Teller.] Avebury, L. [Teller.] Iveagh, L.
Cawdor, E. Calthorpe, L. Newton, L.
Leven and Melville, E. Chelmsford, L. Sherborne, L.
Rosslyn, E. Crawshaw, L. Sinclair, L.
de Ros, L. Stalbridge, L.
Hutchinson, V. (E. Donoughmore Heneage, L. Wemyss, L. (E. Wemyss.)

session for the discussion of this and several other questions. While negotiations were proceeding as to the date for the deputation, it became known that it had been decided by the Government to create a Fisheries Board, and the Prime Minister wrote to me asking whether I did not think it would be more convenient if the deputation was put off during the transfer of the duties of the Fisheries Department from the Board of Trade to the new Board. I thought the suggestion a very fair one, and agreed to it, but it was, of course, on the understanding that the Bill was to be proceeded with at once, and that the deputation on the various subjects discussed at the conference would be received at an early date after Easter. We all know that the delay was unavoidable owing to the sad and regrettable death of Mr. Hanbury, but at the moment of his death he had made himself master of most of the questions with regard to the fishery trade, and had also prepared a Bill which, from the information I had, was to have been introduced directly after Easter. The position of the sea fisheries has been a very inconvenient one during the last four or five months. We are at present in the position of being in no man's land. Seeing that the House of Commons is so full of business, I am very anxious that this Bill should be introduced in this House as early as possible in view of its urgent necessity.

THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE (The EARL OF ONSLOW)

My Lords, first of all I must express my gratitude to the noble Lord for the compliment he paid me. One of the first things that I found on taking charge of my Department was the draft of the Bill to which he has referred. It was necessary for me to give some little consideration to it, and to some extent to alter and remodel it, but I am glad to be able to inform the noble Lord that the Bill has now been prepared. I will lay it on the Table of the House to-night, and if it suits the convenience of your Lordships, and the noble Lord in particular, I propose to take the Second Reading on Monday next.