I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland, in view of the fact that the Board of Trade fishery boundary of the Ness and Beauly Rivers extends from Chanonry Point to Fort George Barracks, will he explain why the river proprietors, through the local district fishery committee, have been allowed fishery rights to the estuary of these rivers many miles seawards outside this boundary.
I am not aware on what authority my hon. friend bases his statement as to the boundaries of these districts, and may refer him to Schedule B of the Salmon Fisheries (Scotland) Act, 1868, which defines the boundaries. The rights of salmon fishing in the Ness and Beauly districts do not differ from rights held in other districts of Scotland, nor are they exercised in any peculiar manner.