§ MR. WEIRI beg to ask the Lord-Advocate whether he is aware that at a recent meeting of fishermen at Portnaguran, Island of Lewis, disappointment was expressed that the scope of the inquiry of the Mansfield Commission was not extended to the Island of Lewis, in view of the depletion in the line-fishing industry in that island; and will he state whether the Secretary for Scotland can see his way to receive a deputation from the island consisting of the Secretary to the Lewis and Harris Fishermen's Association, and other representative fishermen, in order that the difficulties under which the fishermen labour may be personally placed before him.
*MR. SCOTT DICKSONThe Answer to the first part of the hon. Member's Question is in the affirmative. The Secretary for Scotland does not consider that it would serve any useful purpose to receive 1210 the proposed deputation. For his reasons for arriving at this conclusion I may refer the hon. Member to a letter on this subject addressed to him on February 15th.