§ SIR D. H. MACFARLANE (Argyll)I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland, if the announcement which he has made that the Government intend to postpone the Introduction of the Bill to amend the Crofters Act until after the issue of the Report of the Deer Forests Commission, indicates an intention to include in the proposed Bill provisions for the distribution of any lands reported to be 772 available for the extension of existing crofter holdings and the creation of new holdings?
§ SIR G. O. TREVELYANI cannot give any information to my hon. Friend as to the contents of the proposed measure until I introduce it to the House.
§ SIR D. H. MACFARLANEasked, whether it was the intention of the Government to introduce the Bill of last year, or whether the House was to wait for Legislation until the issue of the Report. Was there the smallest prospect of any effective Legislation this year?
§ SIR G. O. TREVELYANI think we are more likely to carry a Crofters Bill through the House if it embraces all the principal subjects of grievance. I am quite sure that a Crofters Bill would not be considered by the House until the Commission which has sat so long has reported.
§ DR. MACGREGOR (Inverness, E.)Are the Government in earnest at all in this matter? Or are they not endeavouring to humbug, not only their supporters, but this House?
§ MR. SPEAKEROrder, order!
§ DR. MACGREGOROn the point of order I insist upon an answer, Sir.
§ MR. SPEAKERThe hon. Gentleman is not entitled to insist on an answer.