HC Deb 16 February 1883 vol 276 cc169-70
SIR GEORGE CAMPBELL

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether Her Majesty's Government are now prepared to issue a Commission of Inquiry into the position of the crofters in the Scotch Highlands?

THE LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. J. B. BALFOUR)

I have been requested by the Home Secretary to say, in answer to this Question, that the law must first be vindicated in Skye.

SIR GEORGE CAMPBELL

May I ask the right hon. and learned Gentleman whether, in the case of the submission of these poor people, a Commission of Inquiry will then be instituted?

THE LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. J. B. BALFOUR)

I have no further answer to make at present.

SIR GEORGE CAMPBELL

I am sorry to trouble the right hon. and learned Gentleman; but it would relieve great anxiety if h.6 could tell us whether any orders have been issued for the use of military force for the purpose of coercing these people?

MR. O'DONNELL

May I ask the right hon. and learned Gentleman, if the Government have resolved to use military force for the coercion of the Scottish Highland crofters, whether it is intended to send a detachment of the Highland Brigade for the purpose?

[No reply was given.]

SIR GEORGE CAMPBELL

I beg to give Notice that I shall call attention to this question on going into Committee of Supply on Friday next.

MR. MACFARLANE

May I ask the right hon. and learned Gentleman whether it is not the fact that the four men who were accused of defying the authorities have surrendered themselves to the law in Edinburgh?

THE LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. J. B. BALFOUR)

I believe it is the fact that three of them have done so.