§ MR. FRASER-MACKINTOSH (Invernessshire)I beg to ask the Lord Advocate whether he is aware that much dissatisfaction has arisen, not only from the short and imperfect notices, received by the people interested of the visits of the members of the West Highlands and Islands Commission during their recent inspections, but also on account of the flippant manner and hostile cross-examination indulged in when the people appeared to give evidence, or offered to do so; whether it is the fact that large public meetings, particularly in Barra and Harris, have condemned these proceedings of the Commissioners; whether any written instructions were issued to them prior to their visits; and whether he will lay a copy upon the Table of the House?
§ *THR LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. J. P. B. ROBERTSON,) ButeI am informed by the Commissioners that in every case they sent due notice of their 323 visit to the places which they visited. Dependent, as they necessarily were some extent, on the weather, they could not always mate their definite notices long; and in one or two cases, through the delay of postal communication, the notices did not arrive as soon as they had expected. The Commissioners, however, are not aware of any case in which this prevented their obtaining full information as to the requirements of the locality. They deny that their examination of those who came before them was conducted in either a flippant or hostile manner; but it was of course necessary, in order to arrive at the facts, to test the accuracy of the statements made. I am informed that a meeting was held in Harris, with the result stated, but I have no information as to Barra. Written: instructions were given to the Commissioners on their appointment; and there is no objection to laying on the Table a copy of the instructions issued to the Commission.