§ MR. WEIRI beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether he is aware that the Deer Forest Return published in 1899 shows that sixteen deer 171 forests in Ross and Cromarty have been increased in the aggregate by 96,000 acres between the years 1883 and 1898; and, seeing that some of this land which is now reserved for deer formerly supported a crofter population, will he consider the expediency of introducing legislation with a view to prevent proprietors from extending deer forest areas in such a manner as to include land which is suitable for cultivation.
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR,) Manchester, E.The hon. Gentleman asked me a Question which is substantially identical with this the other day, † and I have really nothing to add to the answer I then gave.
§ MR. WEIRBut the right hon. Gentleman asked me to give him some facts. I have done so. Am I to understand that in future he will ignore facts?