§ MR. LYELL (Orkney and Shetland)I beg to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the increased work thrown on the Crofter Commission by recent legislation, and the probability that these new duties will further delay the Court in dealing with the applications for fair rents in the highlands and islands, the Government will appoint additional Commissioners who may be empowered to deal with the new duties, and so leave the original members of the Commission free to dispose of the applications for fair rents at a more rapid rate; and whether representations have reached him that the long delay in settling what are fair rents in the highlands and islands is injurious both to crofters and landowners, and that a prompt settlement is most urgently needed?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Mr. GOSCHEN, St. George's, Hanover Square)I assume that the "recent legislation" to which the hon. Member alludes is the Crofters' Common Grazings Bill, which is now awaiting the Royal assent, but it is no anticipated that the new duties imposed upon the Commissioners by this measure will make any very serious call on their time. I much regret that the Commissioners have not been able to overtake their work at a more rapid rate, but the hon. Member will understand that it would be practically impossible, even if it were thought altogether advisable, to introduce the legislation necessary to increase their number at so late a stage of the Session.