HC Deb 06 November 1893 vol 18 cc226-7
MR. WEIR (Ross and Cromarty)

I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland whether his attention has been drawn to a report in The Scottish, Highlander, of 2nd November, that at a recent meeting of the Standing Joint Committee, held at Golspie on the previous Tuesday, no member of that Committee could be found to move or second a recommendation of Sheriff Johnstone to secure the services of the Ross-shire and Invernessshire police to enforce the payment of rents and law costs on the Ospisdale Estate; and that Sheriff Johnstone moved the recommendation himself but failed to get a single supporter; and whether he will take steps, by legislation or otherwise, to prevent the personal interference of Sheriff's in the collection of rents?

* MR. BEITH (Inverness, &c.)

said, that before the right Gentleman replied, he wished to ask a question, of which he had given private notice whether the Secretary for Scotland was aware that at the meeting of the Standing Joint Committee of Sutherlandshire, held at Golspie, on Tues- day, October 31, an application by Sheriff Johnston for additional police to enforce the service of writs upon crofters in the Airdens district for arrears of rent had been refused by six votes to two, on the ground that the force asked for would be supplying assistance for a notoriously unjust claim by the proprietor of Ospisdale or his Trustee; whether he was prepared to support the action of the Standing Joint Committee; and whether, in view of the circumstances, he would without delay bring in a Bill placing under the provisions of the Crofters Act, 1886, leaseholders of more than one year, at the date of the passing of the Act?

MR. SPEAKER

Order, order! The words "notoriously unjust claims" escaped my attention; they ought not to have been introduced into the question.

MR. BEITH

I at once withdraw the words "notoriously unjust, "Sir.

SIR G. TREVELYAN

I have forwarded the question of my hon. Friend to the Sheriff of Sutherland, as well as the question of which private notice has been given me by my hon. Friend the Member for Inverness, for his remarks, and I will give an answer when I am in possession of the reply.