HC Deb 19 February 1894 vol 21 cc714-5
MR. WEIR

I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland whether he is in a position to state when the Deer Forest Commission proposes to resume its inquiry?

SIR G. TREVELYAN

A sitting of the Highlands and Islands Commission was held at Edinburgh on the 14th of this month, when arrangements were made for resuming inquiries into the crofting districts on the 27th of next month.

MR. WEIR

Will the right hon. Gentleman recommend the Commission to visit the Island of Lewis, where there is a very large deer forest?

SIR G. TREVELYAN

I have no doubt that they will make a complete survey of the island.

DR. MACGREGOR (Inverness-shire)

May I ask whether all the members of the Commission are prepared to resume work, and when they are likely to finish their work?

SIR G. TREVELYAN

I have heard that there was a very friendly meeting on the occasion to which I have referred, and I hope that all the members will resume work, though I am not positively informed that they will. I suppose they will finish their work when their work is done. The rate at which they are going on is one which can hardly be said to be compatible with their own ease and comfort.

DR. MACGREGOR

When I put this question on a previous occasion, I was assured the work of the Commission would not take several years, yet the Commissioners have already been at it two years, and there are, as yet, no signs of its coining to a conclusion.

SIR G. TREVELYAN

So far from having been at it two years, the inspection has only occupied one working season.