§ DR. R. M'DONALDI beg to ask the Lord Advocate whether he will be good enough to say what is the state of the Common Law in Scotland in reference to the provision and up-keep of corn mills by the landlords in country districts; and whether, when such mills have been in existence from time immemorial, and have been accidentally destroyed by fire or otherwise, it is incumbent on the landlords to have them restored for the use of the occupiers of the soil?
§ THE LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. J. P. B. ROBERTSON, Bute)I am sure the hon. Gentleman intends the first part of his question to be introductory to the second, and does not desire me to inflict on the House any general exposition of the law. In the ordinary case, and apart from special conditions or speculations, I am not aware of any Common Law obligation on the proprietors of corn mills which have been accidentally destroyed by fire or otherwise to have them restored.