§ MR. CATHCART WASON (Orkney and Shetland)I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland if he can state the number of churches in the Highlands of Scotland that have been successfully claimed by the Free Church; and out of that number how many are at present vacant, and on whom the responsibility devolves of seeing that the spiritual interests of the people are duly cared for.
§ THE SECRETARY FOR SCOTLAND (Mr. SINCLAIR, Forfarshire)In the five Highland Synods of the church, viz., Argyll, Moray, Ross, Sutherland and Caithness and Glenelg, the Free Church have prevailed in 113 cases, and the United Free Church in 119 cases. In the case of all the congregations in Orkney and Shetland, of which there are thirty-two, the property has been allocated to the United Free Church. The Royal Commission were charged with the duty of distributing certain property between the two churches, and in that regard their responsibility ends there.
§ MR. CATHCART WASONasked for an Answer to the last part of his Question.
§ MR. SINCLAIRI have no information.
§ MR. CATHCART WASONWill the right hon. Gentleman inquire?
§ MR. SINCLAIRI have no responsibility.