§ MR. WEIR (Ross and Cromarty)To ask the Lord Advocate, in view of the fact that the Deer Forest Commissioners state at page 10 of their Report, dated 19th March 1895, that any scheme that would result in affording cottars the opportunity of obtaining crofts would operate a substantial relief both to the cottars themselves and to the neighbouring crofters, will he say whether the proprietor of the Island of Lewis has recently been approached with a view to the acquisition of land requisite for putting into effect in the island a scheme such as that suggested; and, 1528 if not, will he state when the proprietor was last communicated with on the subject, the nature of the proposal made to him, and the reply thereto.
(Answer.) I am informed by the Congested Districts Board that they have been in communication with Major Matheson on the subject of crofts for cottars, but at present he has none to give them. In the meantime, at Major Matheson's request, the Congested Districts Board have re-opened the question of feuing land near Stornoway for fishermen's dwellings.—(Scottish Office).