§ MR. MACFARLANEasked the Secretary of State for the Home Depart- 1721 ment, If he can state generally the subjects proposed to be submitted to the Commission about to be appointed to inquire into the alleged grievances of the Crofters, the area over which the proposed inquiry will extend, viz., what counties and islands will be included?
§ LORD COLIN CAMPBELLasked the Lord Advocate, Whether it is the intention of the Government to direct that the Royal Commission about to be appointed to inquire into the condition of the population of the Highlands and Islands shall take into consideration the questions of giving State aid in extending telegraphic communication in connection with the fisheries, in the improvement or construction of necessary harbours, the erection of piers, and in other matters affecting the welfare of the population dependent on the fisheries in the West and North-West of Scotland?
THE LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. J. B. BALFOUR)The inquiry will be directed generally to the condition of the Crofters in the North and West of Scotland and the Islands, without specifying particular matters, and will naturally embrace all the elements entering into or affecting their condition.
§ MR. MACFARLANEWill the Lord Advocate give to the House the names of the gentlemen composing the Commission before it receives the Royal Assent?
§ MR. MACFARLANEIf the right hon. and learned Gentleman is not able to give them, I will repeat my Question to the Home Secretary to-morrow.
DR. CAMERONasked whether the right hon. and learned Gentleman proposed to lay on the Table the information which was in the hands of the Government with reference to the destitution that existed.