§ MR. SEXTONasked the Lord Advocate, If he is aware that dissatisfaction exists in reference to the recent application of funds collected from the public to relieve the destitution in the Highlands; and, whether the Government have made inquiry as to complaints in Lewis, Skye, and other places, alleging irregularities in dealing with the funds in question, and declaring that certain factors, who acted as distributors of meal, seed, oats, and potatoes, are now demanding payment from tenants who accepted the contributions on the understanding that they were gifts; and, if 234 so, whether, in view of the official assurance conveyed to the Royal Commission, the Government will adopt any measure to protect the small tenants in the Highlands and Islands?
THE LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. J. B. BALFOUR)No complaints have reached me on the subject of this Question, and the terms are so general that I have not been able to make any inquiry. The Government have no special means of information as to funds which have been collected by private charity and are not under their control. But if the hon. Member will give me a more definite indication as to any particular instance of misappropriation of a charitable fund, I shall cause inquiry to be made.
§ MR. SEXTONasked the Lord Advocate, If he is aware that certain small tenants of the Duke of Sutherland are now being threatened with summary actions for payment of the value of seed corn and potatoes distributed to them by their landlord during the recent period of distress; whether his attention has been drawn to the evidence before the Royal Commission on the condition of the Crofters of Mr. Crawford, Factor to the Duke of Sutherland, that—
Instead of making a reduction to the email tenants, the Duke has expanded £515 this year, during the destitution, in providing seed corn and potatoes for them;and, whether, if this assurance was given to the Royal Commission by the Duke's official representative, the Government can take any steps for protection of the small tenants, now threatened with prosecution for repayment of the value of the gifts?
THE LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. J. B. BALFOUR)I have caused inquiry to be made at the Sheriff Clerk's office, the only public place where it could be made, and have ascertained that no summonses have been taken out against the Duke of Sutherland's tenants for claims of the kind indicated in the Question. Beyond that I have no means of inquiring into the management of a private estate.
§ MR. MACFARLANEasked the Lord Advocate, If his attention has been called to the evidence of Mr. John Crawford, factor, given at Bonar Bridge before the Royal Commission, in which that gentleman, in reply to question 39,595, said— 235
There has been a considerable reduction made to large tenants, and, instead of making a reduction to the small tenants, the Duke has expended £515 this year in providing seed corn and potatoes for them. He has also given me £500 to lay out in works of trenching and improving their lots;if he is aware that Mr. Crawford is now threatening summary proceedings before the sheriff for the recovery of the cost of the seed corn and potatoes said to have been given instead of a reduction of rent; and, if the crofters have any legal remedy against this claim? The hon. and learned Gentleman says that no summonses have been taken out. Is he aware whether any factor or other person has written making this demand?
THE LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. J. B. BALFOUR)I am not. But I wish to point out that in neither of the Questions is there the slightest indication given as to where this information can be obtained. It is not even said what county.
§ MR. MACFARLANEI will give it to the hon. and learned Gentleman.
§ MR. SEXTONSo will I.