§ MR. EDMUND ROBERTSON (Dundee)I beg to ask the Lord-Advocate whether he has any information as to the number of cases in which ministers and congregations of the United Free Church of Scotland have been actually evicted from manses and churches at the instance of the Free Church, and as to the number of cases in which proceedings of this nature are pending.
THE LORD-ADVOCATE (Mr. SCOTT DICKSON,) Glasgow, BridgtonI am informed that actual possession has been taken of forty-two churches as to which interdict was obtained. I am also informed that the Free Church have obtained possession of between twenty and thirty other churches without legal 456 proceedings. I am unable to say in how many cases the Free Church have taken possession of manses which were occupied by ministers of the United Free Church, but I believe the number is small. I am unable to state the number of cases presently pending. I am endeavouring to obtain further information, and, if I receive it, I will communicate with the hon. Member.