§ Mr. YOUNGERasked the Lord Advocate whether anyone with authority to represent the interests of the Government has been sent to the island of Vatersay since it was acquired by purchase from Lady Gordon Cathcart; what is the present position of the settlers there; whether any steps have been taken to provide a suitable water supply; and what generally are the prospects of satisfactorily creating crofting settlements on the island?
§ The LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. Ure)The answer to the first part of the hon. Member's question is in the affirmative. Steps are now being taken with a view to the settlement of the island, by improvement of the water supply and otherwise, and applications for land from persons desiring to be settlers have been invited and are being received. It is believed 176 that the action taken gives a reasonable prospect of a satisfactory settlement.
§ Mr. YOUNGERIs the right hon. Gentleman getting a water supply on the island, or is he getting it from the mainland, and what is the expense?
§ Mr. YOUNGERasked the Lord Advocate when papers with reference to the purchase of and proposed crofting settlements on the island of Vatersay will be presented to the House; and whether the recent correspondence with Mr. Duncan Campbell will be included?
§ The LORD ADVOCATEThese papers have been presented in another place. The recent correspondence referred to is not included; but if the hon. Member desires to see it I will furnish him with a copy.
§ Mr. YOUNGERWould not the better way be to put down an unstarred question, so that the correspondence might be printed for everybody to see it?