DR. R. MACDONALD (Ross and Cromarty) (for Dr. CLARK) (Caithness), asked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether it was the intention of the Government to introduce an Estimate for Crofter Emigration before making arrangements to send out the crofters, or after all the arrangements were made and a portion of the money spent?
§ THE FIRST LORD (Mr. W. H. SMITH) (Strand, Westminster)A small advance has been authorized to meet the immediate necessities of the case; but an Estimate will be laid before the House as soon as possible.
§ MR. HUNTER (Aberdeen, N.)asked, whether it was the case that agents of the Government had already gone and invited crofters to emigrate?
§ MR. W. H. SMITHsaid, it was the case that some few individuals had been invited to emigrate, under very pressing circumstances, with a view to their immediate relief; and also with a view to the fact that, unless they emigrated immediately, it would be impossible for them to do so until next year.
§ MR. W. H. SMITHsaid, he was not aware whether that was the case or not. 333 Subsequently,
§ DR. CLARKasked, when the right hon. Gentleman intended to lay the Supplementary Estimates relating to the crofters on the Table?
§ MR. W. H. SMITHIt will be laid on the Table immediately after Whitsuntide.
§ DR. CLARKgave Notice that in Committee he would move to reduce the salary of the First Lord of the Treasury by the amount asked for.