§ MR. J. G. WEIR (Ross and Cromarty)I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland—(1) whether he is aware that an eviction notice has been served on Donald M'Iver, a crofter on an estate at Ferrytown, Balblair; that Donald M'Iver was a tenant holding under a lease which expired in 1890, and since that time has been a yearly tenant at a rental of £4 4s.; and that at Martinmas last he was only £2 in arrears; and (2) whether with the view of protecting such tenants and preventing landlords anticipating the Crofters' Bill, the forces of the Crown will not be used for the purpose of evicting tenants whose leases have expired since the passing of the Crofters' Act of 1886.
§ SIR GEORGE TREVELYANI have received a further report from the Sheriff of Ross and Cromarty, in which he informs me that M'Iver was a tenant holding under a 19 years' lease, which expired in 1890. He was allowed to remain as tenant from year to year by tacit revocation, but from 1890 onwards he did not pay his rent. For crop and year 1891 he paid 16s. only, and for 1892 and 1893 he paid nothing. In September 1894, after being brought into Court, he paid the arrears £11 16s. due 1048 for the three years subsequent to the conclusion of his regular lease. For crop and year 1894 he has paid as yet nothing, and is due £2 2s. for the half-year past at Martinmas last. In regard to the last paragraph of the hon. Member's question, I have nothing to add to my reply to a similar question on the 23rd of last month.