MR. MACKINTOSHI beg to ask the Lord Advocate whether his attention has been directed to the report of proceedings before the Crofters' Commission in North Uist, and particularly to the application of the crofters of Malaglate for an enlargement of their holdings from the adjoining farm of Vallay from which it appears that the proprietor of North Uist, Sir John Orde, baronet, resisted the application before the Commissioners, stating that he had ceased to be the proprietor of Vallay, but according to the reply of the applicants Sir John Orde had, since the passing of the Crofters' Act of 1886, made a gratuitous, or what is termed in Scotland "a nominal and fictitious," transfer of the farm to his eldest son and apparent heir; and, whether he will amend the Law as to extension of holdings, so as to prevent evasions of its intention?
§ * MR. J. P. B. ROBERTSONThe notice of this question was the first intimation I had of the subject. On inquiry I have ascertained that the application of these crofters for an enlargement of holding is at present under the consideration of the Commission. I must, therefore, decline, in the meantime, to answer the question.