HC Deb 01 March 1894 vol 21 cc1137-8
*MR. WEIR

I beg to ask the Lord Advocate whether Sheriff Hill, of Dingwall, Ross-shire, has a knowledge of the Gaelic language?

*THE LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. J. B. BALFOUR, Clackmannan, &c.)

Sheriff Hill informs me that he has not a knowledge of the Gaelic language, but that he has never found the want of it to occasion any difficulty in the discharge of his duties.

MR. REN SHAW (Renfrew)

Is it not the case that at the last General Election the voters of Ross and Cromarty itself chose as their Representative a gentleman who did not speak the Gaelic language?

*MR. WEIR

May I be allowed to say that I am not a paid servant, whereas Sheriff Hill is?

DR.MACGREGOR (Inverness-shire)

Is it not the case that non-speaking Gaelic County Councillors have been elected because the Gaelic-speaking electors are unable to afford the expenditure of' choosing Gaelic-speaking Councillors?

MR. J. B. BALFOUR

The question addressed to me had no relation to the County Council. I have answered that which appears on the Paper.

*MR. WEIR

Is my right hon. Friend aware that Sir Colin Scott Moncrieff, in his evidence before the Welsh Land Commission, in answer to Question 27,122, said that Gaelic is unquestionably the language of the people, and did he not also say in answer to Question 27,123—

MR. SPEAKER

Order, order That is not a question to which an answer can reasonably be expected without notice being given.