§ MR. WEIR (Ross and Cromarty)To ask the Secretary for Scotland whether he is aware that the Deer Forest Commissioners at page 44 of their Report state in a note to the schedule of lands in the Island of Lewis, which they considered suitable for the creation of new holdings or for the extension of existing holdings, that in considering the case of Lewis it cannot be left out of view that the congestion is very great, and the demand by crofters for access to the lands scheduled is of a very urgent nature; and, in view of the fact that this Report was written as far back as 1895, and that the demand for land has been much accentuated since that date, will he endeavour to settle people on the land in the Lews and other congested areas under the powers contained in the Congested 953 Districts (Scotland) Act, seeing that there is no prospect of the Small Landowners (Scotland) Bill becoming law in the near future.
(Answered by Mr. Sinclair.) I am aware of the opinion expressed by the Royal Commission on the Highlands and Islands of 1892, and of the existing congestion of population in the Lews. No proposition has been submitted to me or to the Congested Districts Board by the proprietor inviting their co-operation in the settlement of small holders on existing farms.