§ DR. CLARK (Caithness)asked the Lord Advocate, Whether it is the case that correspondence has taken place between the Secretary for Scotland and the Sheriff of Caithness as to the relation between evictions and pauperism, and between the Secretary for Scotland or the Sheriff of Caithness and various Inspectors of Poor or Parochial Boards on the same subject; and, whether copies of the Correspondence will be laid upon the Table?
§ THE LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. J. H. A. MACDONALD) (Edinburgh and St. Andrew's Universities)I have ascertained, on further inquiry, since my reply to the Question of the hon. Member some days ago, that at the end of March a letter was received by the Secretary for Scotland from a Mr. Waters, in Caithness, which was transmitted to the Sheriff of the county, with a request to report on it to the Secretary for Scotland. In making inquiry to enable him to furnish this Report, the Sheriff has, I understand, communicated with certain Inspectors of Poor. No Report has yet been received; and I cannot give any undertaking as to the publication of the Correspondence until it has been sent.