§ MR. MACFARLANEasked the First Lord of the Treasury, If his attention has been called to a case reported in the "Scotsman" of the 28th Oct. in which the plaintiff, Mr. Winans, sought to compel the defendant, Mr. Mackenzie, to evict shepherds "and other occupants" from a place rented as a deer forest; and, if he will grant a Return of the area of land converted into sheep walks and deer forests in the Islands and Highlands of Scotland since 1831, and the number of persons and families removed for that purpose?
MR. GLADSTONEI have no information on this subject of a character to enable me to pronounce upon the matter as to its merits, although I have been cognizant by common repute with what has been going on. With regard to the inquiry of the hon. Gentleman, I think it would be a very useful thing if, upon this contested question, there could be a Return to the effect he describes; but I believe it is wholly beyond our power to give it.
§ MR. MACFARLANEI shall call attention to the subject, and move a Resolution.
§ LORD ELCHOMy impression is that there is some information upon the subject in the Report of a Committee in 1872.
MR. GLADSTONEI think there is information on the subject in the Report of a Committee. At the same time, I have no doubt my hon. Friend is better acquainted with it than I am.