§ DR. R. MACDONALD (Ross and Cromarty)asked the Lord Advocate, Whether complaints have reached him that the police constable stationed at Laxay, in the Island of Lewis, while on his regular rounds, particularly at the Kinloch Free Church, in presence of a number of the crofters, stated on his authority as an officer of the law that, notwithstanding the crofters had made application to the Land Commission in regular form, and had paid the Exchequer fee on their application, yet, before they would be allowed to open their mouth before the Land Commission in support of their application, they would each of them be forced to pay another sum of 12s.; and, what steps he proposes to take in the matter?
§ THE LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. J. H. A. MACDONALD) (Edinburgh and St. Andrew's Universities)It is not the case that the police constable, while going his rounds, made any statement on his authority, as officer of the law, such as is contained in the Question. The constable was attending a public sale of timber some months ago, and in casual conversation stated that he had heard a rumour to that effect.