§ MR. FRASER-MACKINTOSH (Inverness-shire)asked the Secretary for Scotland, Whether he is aware that, in consequence of the non-issue of an Order in Council, and of books and instructions to the Collectors of Customs in Scotland, the Sea Fishings (Scotland) Act, passed eight months ago, is inoperative; and, whether these Collectors refuse to register mortgages prepared under the Act when presented to them?
§ THE SECRETARY FOR SCOTLAND (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR) (Manchester, E.)I am quite aware that, in consequence of the unavoidable delay in issuing the Order in Council, the Act referred to is 1081 unworkable, and that no mortgages under the Act can yet be registered. The Order in Council is now in the printer's hands, I may remind the hon. Member of the answer I gave the other day to the hon. Member for West Perthshire (Sir Donald Currie), in which I expressed my great disappointment at the delay which has occurred, and pointed out the reasons of it.