§ MR. MORTONI beg to ask the Lord Advocate if he has yet made inquiry into the burning of a crofter's house and some of his effects in July last in the parish of Creich, Sutherland.
§ THE LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. THOMAS SHAW,) Hawick BurghsI have made the inquiry. The person occupying the house was not a crofter and had for a considerable time neither tilled the land nor paid rent. The responsibility for the burning rests entirely with the proprietrix. Whatever might be my own opinion as to what has occurred, the circumstances do not appear to disclose any ground on which I would have a title to interpose or take action.
§ MR. MORTONasked for a copy of the Report of the inspector who made the inquiry.
§ MR. THOMAS SHAWreplied that it would be contrary to practice to produce it.
§ MR. MORTONThen alter the practice.