§ MR. MACFARLANEasked the Lord Advocate, If his attention has been called to the eviction of two crofters at Tobermory, on the alleged ground that they had given evidence adverse to their landlord before the Royal Commission; if he will cause inquiry to be made into the circumstances, and if it is true that the landlord in question was not asked, in the usual manner, to promise indemnity to the crofter delegates; and, if he can state the reason for this omission?
THE LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. J. B. BALFOUR)I have inquired into this case, and am informed that the crofter delegates usually, or often, asked for an assurance of immunity before giving evidence, and then the Chairman always put a question on the subject to the landlords or their representatives; but at Tobermory the delegates made no mention of the matter, and, therefore, no assurance was demanded. A long controversial correspondence has passed with the proprietor and a person writing on behalf of the men who were removed, which will be appended to the Report of the Commission.