§ Mr. COCHRANEasked the Lord Advocate whether the prospective crofters and cottars in the island of Vatersay have been requested by the Congested Districts Board to sign agreements; whether these agreements differ from the terms of the Crofters Acts; and whether all these crofters and cottars have accepted these terms?
§ The LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. Ure)The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The agreements provide for the tenure being that of the Crofters Acts, subject to the terms of the agreements, which, in accordance with precedent in similar cases, include specific regulations on various points of estate management made in the general interest of the various townships. The agreements have so far been signed by 51 out of 58 applicants.
§ Mr. COCHRANEHave any of these crofters been threatened with eviction if they do not sign these agreements?
§ Mr. COCHRANEIn no cases?
§ Mr. COCHRANEasked the Lord Advocate whether he will publish the further correspondence regarding Vatersay which has passed between the cottars and squatters and the Congested Districts Board, the Secretary for Scotland, and the Lord Advocate; also the correspondence which has passed between the agent for the Congested Districts Board and the agent for the cottars and squatters, Mr. Donald Shaw; and also the correspondence between this gentleman and the secretary to the Congested Districts Board?
§ Mr. UREThe correspondence will be published, if desired, in due course; but arrangements for the settlement of the farm are at present going on, and it would not be expedient to publish any correspondence until they are concluded.
§ Mr. COCHRANEMay I ask when the conclusion will be arrived at, and when we may expect the correspondence to be published?
§ Mr. COCHRANEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is very great interest in this experiment?