§ MR. A. SUTHERLAND (Sutherland)asked the Lord Advocate, Who is responsible for the Regulations under which loans are made by the Fishery Board to fishermen in crofting parishes in Scotland; whether he is aware that, according to these Regulations, only three-fourths of the sum necessary to purchase or build a 1114 boat is advanced; that securities over and above the personal security of the applicant and a mortgage upon the boat itself are demanded; and, whether he has any information to show that these Regulations make this provision of the Crofters' Act practically unavailable; and, if so, whether the Government will consider the advisability of so amending these Regulations as to enable the whole price of the boat to be advanced upon the personal security of the applicant and a mortgage upon the boat itself?
§ THE LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. J. H. A. MACDONALD) (Edinburgh and St. Andrew's Universities)The Regulations referred to were confirmed by the Secretary for Scotland, with the sanction of the Treasury, and the loans are made by the Fishery Board upon such terms as to repayment, security, rate, and payment of interest, and otherwise as the Secretary for Scotland, with the consent of the Treasury, shall determine. The statements in the second paragraph are correct. I am not aware that the Regulations make the provision of the Crofters' Act practically unavailable. The advance authorized is a very large one; and I cannot hold out any hope that the whole price of boats will be advanced on the security set forth in the Question.