§ MR. JOHN DEWAR (Inverness)I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland if he is aware that destitution prevails among the fishing population in the islands on the west coast of Inverness-shire, that the Congested Districts Board and the Fisheries Board have refused to help the population to provide fishing 34 boats and gear and otherwise to develop the industry; and whether, under these circumstances, he will appoint a Committee, similar to the Mansfield Committee which reported on the sea fisheries in parts of Sutherland and Caithness in 1904, to report as to whether any stops can be taken to develop the fishing-industry on the west coast of Scotland, or to assist the fishermen in the prosecution of their calling.
§ MR. SINCLAIRNo special information has reached me as to any exceptional destitution, and there is no present intention of appointing another Committee; but the state of the fishing industry and the general condition of the population referred to is under the consideration of the Government, in connection with legislation which is under preparation.