§ MR. MACFARLANEI wish to ask, Whether it is to be understood, as is stated in the papers, that the Procurator Fiscal at Portree has gone with the Sheriff Substitute to inquire into the alleged outrages in Uig; if it is the case that the Procurator Fiscal of Portree is a solicitor in practice in that town; and, if it would not be possible, in the public interest, to obtain some outside person, uninfluenced by local excitement, to make an independent inquiry into alleged outrages in Uig?
THE LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. J. B. BALFOUR)It is the duty of the Procurator Fiscal, in pursuance of his ordinary business, to investigate this particular case of alleged outrage as well as any other. I understand that, although the gentleman referred to is a solicitor in Portree, he has little or no private practice, and I understand he does not act for any proprietor in the Island. I may further say that I know this gentleman has, with great propriety, declined to act for proprietors where there was any possibility of discontent on their estates.