HC Deb 09 March 1883 vol 276 cc1901-2
MR. MACFARLANE

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, If he can state generally the subjects proposed to be submitted to the Commission about to be appointed to inquire into the alleged grievances of the Crofters, the area over which the proposed inquiry will extend, viz., what counties and islands will be included?

MR. J. W. BARCLAY

asked the right hon. and learned Gentleman, Whether the Commission to be appointed to investigate the condition of Crofters in the North of Scotland will inquire into the extent to which Deer Forests have in recent years been created, and the effect of such afforesting of land upon the population?

SIR WILLIAM HARCOURT

Sir, I think my answer will cover both Questions. It is proposed to make the reference to the Commission in general terms. I think I have stated before, that those terms will be an inquiry into the condition of the crofters in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. As to what are the circumstances which affect these conditions, that will be for the Commission to determine. All the circumstances which they think affect these conditions they will properly inquire into. In regard to the localities, the terms will be sufficiently large to embrace all the localities affected by the question, and it will be for the Commissioners to judge what are the places in which inquiries ought to be made.

MR. MACFARLANE

Will the right hon. Gentleman give the names of the proposed Commissioners, or will he, before the Commission is appointed, afford the House an opportunity of learning what those names are?

SIR WILLIAM HARCOURT

I am sorry to say I cannot do that. The hon. Member must be aware that the constitution of a Commission like this is a very delicate matter. I am engaged, and have been engaged for several days, in endeavouring to ascertain the names of those who would be in a position to serve upon it, and I am not now in the position to state the names of the Commissioners.

In reply to Sir GEORGE CAMPBELL,

SIR WILLIAM HARCOURT

said, it was not proposed to specify counties in the Reference to the Commissioners.