§ SIR D. MACFARLANE (Argyll)I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland if he has received a protest from the inhabitants of the Island of Coll complaining that the division of the Wards for the purposes of the Local Government Board has been made without due consideration having been given to the number of electors, and against the wishes of a large part of the population; and whether he will investigate the matter and endeavour to remedy the grievance complained of?
§ THE SECRETARY FOR SCOTLAND (Sir G. O. TREVELYAN, Glasgow, Bridgeton)A protest was forwarded to the Local Government Board for Scotland, who, after inquiry, informed the complainers on the 21st of January that the Board had no power to interfere with the action of the County Council, but that, if they were dissatisfied, the proper course was for them to make a representation to the County Council, who alone have power to make any alteration in the Wards that have been fixed. I do not know whether any such representation has been made. Parliament having vested full discretion in the County Council, the responsibility for the division of the Parish into Wards must rest with that Body.