To ask the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, whether he is aware that the Lune, Wyre, Keer, and Cocker Fishery Conservators have again refused an application from the Ingleton Angling Association for a general licence; whether this is a refusal to comply with the Acts which govern the constitution of the Conservators' Board; and what steps, legal proceedings or other, it is proposed to take in order to secure obedience to those Acts.
( Answered by Sir Edward Strachey.) The Answer to the first part of my hon. friend's Question is in the affirmative. The Acts require the Conservators to grant a general licence on payment of such sum as the Conservators may determine, with the sanction of the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries, but I am advised that the Board are not in a position to compel the Conservators to grant a licence, and it rests with the Association to test the legality of their refusal. I think, however, that the difficulty might be met without resort to legal remedies, and we shall be glad to use our friendly offices to bring about a satisfactory settlement.