§ MR. WEIRI beg to ask the Lord Advocate having regard to the statement contained on page 16 of the Report of the Congested Districts Board that a number of applications for fishing boats and fishing gear were referred to the Fishery Board in consequence of the powers given to that Board under Section 32 of the Crofters' Holdings (Scotland) Act, 1886, will he state how many applications of the nature indicated were received by the Fishery Board in the year 1898, and in how many instances assistance was granted. 881 The following question also appeared on the Paper:—
(14.) Mr. Weir: To ask the Lord Advocate, having regard to the fact that on page 16 of the Report of the Congested Districts Board for Scotland it is stated that applicants for fishing boats and fishing gear have been referred to the Fishery Board, who have powers to deal with such requests under Section 32 of The Crofters' Holdings (Scotland) Act, 1886, will he state how many such applicant have been referred to the Fishery Board, and in how many instances their requests have been acceded to.
§ * MR. A. GRAHAM MURRAYThis question is identical in substance and almost so in words with No. 14, so I will answer the two together. I am informed by the Fishery Board that doting 1898 only one of those who were advised to apply to them sent in any application. It was declined amongst other reasons because the Board at the close of 1890 discontinued the making of such loans, and they have had no funds at their disposal for that purpose since 1894.
§ * MR. A. GRAHAM MURRAYWell, 1 did not put it down.
§ MR WEIRNo. The first question I handed in at the Table was, I was informed, mislaid, so I wrote a second one and handed it in. I suppose the first was eventually discovered.