§ MR. WEIRI beg to ask the Lard Advocate, haying regard to the fact that the Scottish Office has been able to furnish information in regard to the number of persons disfranchised in Glasgow and Greenock through the nonpayment of rates, and is unable to give similar information in regard to the Island of Lewis and the western mainland of Ross-shire, will he ascertain whether the system of collection adopted in Glasgow and Greenock differs from that adopted in Ross-shire and Cromarty; and if so, will he explain the nature of the difference.
§ * MR. A. GRAHAM MURRAYThe hypothesis of the hon. Member's question is erroneous. The information as regards the number of persons disfranchised is contained in the Return No. 376, of 1899, which includes Ross-shire as well as Glasgow and Greenock. As regards the system of collection the hon. Member may assume that it is effected through collectors, and is firmly enforced when possible by warrant; but the precise dates at which the collectors attend and at which it is attempted to enforce the warrants vary locally in each of the parishes, and I have already explained to the hon. Member that I have no precise information on the subject.