§ MR. WEIR (Ross and Cromarty)I beg to ask the Lord Advocate whether the Secretary for Scotland is aware that on the 15th April, 1898, resolutions were unanimously carried at a meeting of crofters and others of the townships of Shader, Sheshader, Aird, and Portnaguran, in the Island of Lewis, to the effect that there is ample land contiguous to those townships not suitable for grazing, but which if cultivated would afford sustenance for the numerous fishermen and cottars in these districts; is he aware that for several months in the year fishermen in the Island of Lewis find it absolutely impossible to obtain a sale for their fish on account of the fish curers not being purchasers; and will he, with a view to assist these men in providing for their families during that part of the year when they cannot prosecute their calling as fishermen with profit, consider the expediency of making such arrangements as will enable each family to acquire two acres of these waste lands.
§ * THE LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. A. G. MURRAY,) ButeshireI informed the hon. Member on the 26th April last that the Congested Districts Board had received these resolutions. They were considered along with a similar communication from the Stornoway Landward Committee, and the decision of the Congested Districts Board is recorded on page 14 of the appendix to their first report. I am informed by the Fishery Board that no complaints have reached them as to lack of fish buyers in the Highlands.