§ DR. CLARK(for Dr. R. MACDONALD) (Ross and Cromarty)asked the Lord Advocate, How many applications have been made to the Scotch Fishery Board, under the Crofters' Act, for boats and gear; how many applications have been granted; if few or none, why they have not been granted; and, seeing that the fishing season in the North is rapidly passing by, whether pressure can be brought on the said Board to expedite their decisions, in order to save men, who have stayed at home all the season (in hopes of getting boats and nets, but unsuccessfully), from starvation and bankruptcy during the coming winter season?
§ THE LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. J. H.A. MACDONALD) (Edinburgh and St. Andrew's Universities)Up to the present date 236 applications for loans have been received by the Board. No loans have as yet been granted by the Board. The Board lost no time in issuing forms of application, &c, to all those who have expressed a desire for a loan; but in consequence of misapprehension as to the terms on which loans can be obtained, and the great local difficulties experienced in making necessary examination and Reports, time has been unavoidably occupied in obtaining Reports from the officers of the Board. These Reports, however, have been within the last few days coming in in greater numbers, so that the Board will be enabled to proceed. The Secretary for Scotland is in correspondence with the Board, and every endeavour will be made to expedite their decisions.
§ DR. CLARKasked, if the Government still intended to continue the present restriction on loans—that was 498 to require the men to provide one-third before granting any loan?
§ MR. J. H. A. MACDONALDasked that Notice of the Question should be given.