§ Order of the Day for the Second Reading read.
THE EARL OF STRADBROKEMy Lords, I beg to move that this Bill be now read a second time. Its object is to correct a drafting omission in the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act, 1923. Prior to that Act migratory trout were regarded as a species of salmon, but the Act provided that in future sea trout should be treated under their proper scientific designation of trout, and consequently more nearly related to brown trout than to salmon. The Act of 1923 contains a section which provides that where, by by-law, it is legal to catch salmon during the close season, the salmon so caught may be sold. As sea trout were then treated as salmon there was no need for any alteration in that provision. But now, under the existing: circumstances, an anomalous position has arisen, as, although it may be legal to catch sea trout under the by-laws on certain rivers, those who do so are not 486 allowed to sell them. There are by-laws in force on several rivers where fish are allowed to be taken during the close time, that is, between September 1 and March 31, and now, if your Lordships pass this Bill, trout so taken can be legally sold. The Bill also deals with another small point. The law, as it now stands, prohibits the sale of frozen trout imported from Newfoundland and Canada during the close season in this country. At this time it would provide an inexpensive and valuable addition to the national food supplies, and the Bill proposes to remove this prohibition. The Bill is entirely uncontroversial, and I hope your Lordships will give it a Second Reading.
§ Moved, That the Bill be now read 2a.—(The Earl of Stradbroke.)
§ On Question, Bill read 2a, and committed to a Committee of the Whole House.