§ MR. MACFARLANEasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, If he can state the extent and scope of the Royal Commission which is 1023 to be issued to inquire into the condition of the Crofters of the Highlands and Islands of Scotland, if it will include the tenure upon which crofts are held, the rights to foreshores, the area of deer forests, and the amount of depopulation which they have caused; whether the Commission will visit the various localities and take evidence on the spot; and, if it will include in its inquiry the Shetland and Orkney Islands? The hon. Member added, that he hoped that the Home Secretary would be able to give him some explicit statement as to the scope of the Inquiry before the Report stage of the Address was arrived at.
§ SIR WILLIAM HARCOURTI stated yesterday that I could give no details in this matter. The hon. Member must be aware, that in the case of a Royal Commission, no statement can be made until the sanction of the Crown has been obtained.
§ MR. MACFARLANEIn consequence of the unsatisfactory nature of the answer, I beg to give Notice that I shall move an Amendment with reference to the subject on the Report of the Address.