§ MR. J. G. WEIR (Ross and Cromarty)I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland whether his attention has been called to the eviction of a family named 904 Ross at Millcraig, Alness, Ross-shire, on Monday, the 22nd ultimo, with the concurrence of the proprietor; whether he is aware that Mrs. Ross, the occupier, is 80 years of age and bedridden; that she was carried out of the house in a blanket and left lying, with her goods and chattels, at the roadside, where she and her family had to pass the night; and that immediately after Mrs. Ross was carried out of her house, in which she had lived for 30 years, it was demolished by the agents of the proprietor; and, whether it is proposed to take any steps to render such evictions in the Highlands impossible in the future?
§ THE SECRETARY FOR IRELAND (Sir GEORGE TREVELYAN,) Glasgow, BridgetonI have received a Report from the Sheriff of Ross and Cromarty, in which he states that the Ross family were not tenants of Sir Kenneth Matheson of Ardross, but were found after a protracted litigation to have no right of occupancy, which belonged to the other party in the litigation. Their removal was necessary on account of the person who was found by the Court to be the real tenant; and they were required to remove. Sir Kenneth Matheson took special care to provide another house for Mrs. Ross. Mrs. Ross was not permitted to accept this offer by her son Donald, who is stated to be an able-bodied man. The decree of eviction was obtained in December, but was not enforced until 22nd April, out of consideration for the Rosses. It is not a case for the interference of the Government.
§ MR. WEIRasked the right hon. Gentleman whether he was aware that the house in question was simply an old wooden shed, and quite unfit for human habitation?
§ SIR GEORGE TREVELYANreplied that that was not stated by the Sheriff.