§ DR. R. MACDONALD (ROSS and Cromarty)asked the Lord Advocate, Whether he has any further information regarding the intended addition of the sheep farm of Garbat Ben Wyvis to the extensive deer forest of Mr. Shoolbread; whether he is aware that the proposal has caused intense dissatisfaction throughout the West Highlands; and, whether, in order to allay the popular excitement, the Government can take any steps to delay the proposed afforesting until the Crofter Land Commission had visited the district?
§ THE LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. J.H. A. MACDONALD) (Edinburgh and St. Andrew's Universities)Having received no Notice of this Question, I am unable to answer in regard to the questions of 1434 fact; but I may point out to the hon. Member that any sheep-farm land which is added to deer forest is by that action made more free to be dealt with for the increase of crofter holdings than if it remained in sheep farm; but, in any case, the Government have no power to interfere in matters relating to the Crofters Act of last year, these being exclusively in the hands of the Crofter Commission, and of the Courts of Law on appeal from the Commission.