§ Mr. WEIRasked the Lord Advocate whether the Secretary for Scotland is aware that a number of landless cottars, descendants of the men who 60 years ago occupied the farm of Milton, South Uist, now part of the property of Lady Gordon Cathcart, having frequently petitioned for the breaking up of the farm into small holdings. without avail, have now taken forcible possession of the farm in the hope that as the present tenant's lease expires at Whit-Sunday some arrangement will be made for the creation of new holdings; and will he state whether any communication has passed between the Congested Districts Board and the proprietrix on the subject; and, if so, the nature of such communication?
§ Mr. UREI am aware that the cottars of some of the South Uist townships have from time to time expressed a wish for a portion of the farm of Milton, part of which was assigned in 1896 for the enlargement 30 of certain townships. So far as I am aware, it is not the fact that forcible possession has been taken of the farm; but I understand that at the end of last month a meeting of crofters, cottars and others was held on the farm, at which resolutions were have passed between the Congested Dispancy of the farm. No communications have passed between the Congested Districts Board and the proprietrix on the subject.