§ MR. WEIRI beg to ask the Lord Advocate if he will state what system is adopted for securing the payment of rates in the Island of Lewis and Lochbroom, on the western mainland of Ross-shire, 28 and in what respect it differs from the system adopted in other parts of the County of Ross and Cromarty where the rates are successfully collected; and if he will state how many of the 2,688 persons disfranchised in the county for failure to pay rates before the 20th June, 1898, paid their rates four months subsequent to that date.
§ * MR. A. GRAHAM MURRAYThe system of collecting rates is locally arranged, and is not under the control of any department of Government; I have, therefore, no definite information on the subject. I have communicated with the Local Government Board, but there is no information in that Department which would enable me to reply to the question.