§ Mr. P. WHITEasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food (1) why, in the Order prohibiting the catching of sea trout and salmon in tidal and territorial waters in Ireland, the owners of adjoining lands were unfairly discriminated 507W against as compared with owners of lands nearer the source of the river, who are allowed to use nets for the capture of the same species of fish; and (2) why the catching of salmon and sea trout is prohibited in tidal and territorial waters in Ireland; whether he is aware that, in con sequence of the prohibitory Order, tons of food are lost for human consumption; and whether the preservation of rod-fishing for a few individuals here and there through Ireland is to be allowed to interfere with the duty of obtaining the greatest quantity of human food?
§ Mr. DUKEI have been asked to reply to these questions. I am informed that the Department of Agriculture are not aware of the existence of any such Order as that referred to by the hon. Member in the first question. The catching of salmon and sea trout is not prohibited in tidal and territorial waters, save during the weekly and annual close seasons, which are statutory provisions in the general interest of the fisheries, and are not brought about by any Order of the Food Controller. The concluding inquiry in the second question does not, therefore, arise.