§ DR. MACGREGOR (Inverness-shire)I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland if he can state on what day he will be able to introduce the Crofters Act Amendment Bill; in extending the benefits of the Act to leaseholders, will he consider the expediency of including all tenants paying annual rents up to £50; will he have regard to the class of tenants who at the passing of the Act were leaseholders, but whose leases having since expired are now tenants-at-will, and therefore deprived of the benefits of the Act: and when the opportunity comes for the increase of small holdings, will he consider the necessity of replacing on the land the cottar class, who are really the same people, but, having been evicted from their former holdings, are now without land at all? In putting the question, the hon. Member said: I would not have troubled the House with this question had the Government not failed to keep a House on Friday night.
§ SIR G. TREVELYANI cannot name a day for introducing the Bill, nor can I undertake to state beforehand its provisions. But all points in connection with the matter, including those mentioned in the question, will be carefully considered.
§ DR. MACGREGORDoes the right hon. Gentleman not remember that he promised the Bill immediately after the Local Government Bill?
§ SIR G. TREVELYANI did not say "immediately after;" I said "subsequent to" the Local Government Bill.
§ DR. MACGREGORDoes the right hon. Gentleman mean to evade his pledge?
§ [No answer was given.]