§ MR. WEIRI beg to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the fact that it has been the practice to exempt crofters (small farmers) from the payment of a dog licence in every case where a dog is kept for the purpose of tending sheep or cattle upon a croft or holding, he will take steps to obviate the recurrence of the vexatious prosecutions which have taken place in the Highlands 562 and Islands of Scotland during this year against crofters keeping a dog for this purpose?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Sir W. HARCOURT,) DerbyI am not aware of the recurrence of any vexatious prosecutions. I have no doubt that if any information of such proceedings is given to the Inland Revenue, proper care will be taken to inquire whether there is any oppressive proceeding?
§ * MR. WEIRI have brought numerous cases during the last few months under the notice of the Inland Revenue, and have received no satisfaction. Will the right hon. Gentleman interpret the law relating to Dog Licences as liberally as the ex-Chancellor of the Exchequer?
§ SIR W. HARCOURTIf the hon. Member is not satisfied with the answer, I will make further inquiry. So far as I can remember, only one case has been put to my right hon. Friend the Secretary to the Treasury, and it was answered the other day——