HC Deb 23 May 1895 vol 34 cc98-9
*MR. J. G. WEIR (Ross and Cromarty)

I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland whether he is aware that Duncan McIver, a crofter on the Newhall Estate, at Ferrytown, Balblair, Ross-shire, recently holding under lease, but now from year to year, is under notice of eviction though only £2 in arrears, or one-half year's rent due at Martinmas last; that Duncan McIver reclaimed from barren moorland all the land comprising his croft with the exception of half an acre, and that he and his family built the dwelling-house, barn, and byre on the holding; and, whether any steps can be taken to prevent the proprietor anticipating the Crofters' Bill, which, on becoming law, will give to McIver fixity of tenure and compensation for improvements?

THE SECRETARY FOR SCOTLAND (Sir GEORGE TREVELYAN, Glasgow, Bridgeton)

If the hon. Member means Donald McIver I have nothing to add to the detailed replies which I gave in the House on the 23rd of April and the 13th of May, in the course of which I stated the manner in which this tenant had treated his obligation to pay rent.

*MR. WEIR

said, his question referred to Duncan McIver, not Donald. Would the right hon. Gentleman take the trouble to inquire into this case?

SIR G. TREVELYAN

said, this crofter since the year 1890 had only paid 16s. rent under compulsion out of a rental which, according to the hon. Member's question, would be about £16, and he thought, that being the case, the House would quite understand the circumstances.

*MR. WEIR

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman would make further inquiry, seeing that the man only owed £2?

SIR G. TREVELYAN

said, the hon. Member forgot what he said in the last sentence of his answer, namely, that this man had only paid 16s. except under compulsion.

*MR. WEIR

But he has paid it. I should like to know from the right hon. Gentleman whether it is the intention of the Government to send the forces of the Crown to aid Mr. Shaw Mackenzie, the landlord of this property, in evicting this man.

SIR G. TREVELYAN

Most certainly on this occasion the Crown will not take any unusual course whatever. This man has not put himself in a position to have an unusual consideration shown to him. His behaviour to his own family has been extremely bad, and in no respect does he deserve special consideration.