§ MR. MORTONT beg to ask the Prime Minister whether he is aware that a Mr. J. D. Fletcher, of Rose-haugh, Black Isle, Ross-shire, is, in anticipation of the Small Landholders (Scotland) Bill, warning out all small holders on his estates up to the £50 per annum limit; and whether he will promote a Suspensory Bill to prevent these clearances.
MR. CATHCART WASONMay I at the same time ask the Prime Minister if his attention has been called to the action taken on a certain estate in the north (tenants under £50 rental being warned out); and, in view of the suffering which will ensue, if he will consider what steps can be taken to stop eviction of such tenants until the Small Landowners Bill can be passed.
§ SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANI have heard with the utmost concern 845 that certain landowners are threatening action of the kind described by my hon. friend. I am not prepared at the moment with any remedy to meet this action, which I regard as deplorable; but my hon. friends may rest assured that the matter is engaging the earnest attention of the Government.