HC Deb 18 April 1911 vol 24 cc616-7
Captain GILMOUR

asked the Lord Advocate when it is intended to publish the Report of the Congested Districts Board for the year ending 31st March, 1911?

The LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. Ure)

The Report will be published as soon as possible; it is hoped about the end of May.

Captain GILMOUR

asked how often during the year meetings of the Congested Districts Board take place; and if he will give the dates on which meetings were held during the last two years?

Mr. URE

As the hon. Member is doubtless aware the business of the Congested Districts Board is conducted, as is the business of many other Boards, mainly by the system of circulation of files. Frequent meetings of the Board are, consequently, unnecessary. The last two meetings of the Board were held on 7th June, 1909, and on 13th April, 1911.

Captain GILMOUR

asked the Lord Advocate whether he is aware that one of the houses at Aignish, erected by the Congested Districts Board, was delivered to the crofter on whose holding the same had been erected in June, 1906, in a state which the Sheriff Substitute of Stornoway has found to be not suitable for human habitation, and remained in that state until about August, 1909, since when, though partially improved by repairs, it is still, owing to structural defects, in a condition which the said Sheriff Substitute has found to be unsuitable for habitation; will he state the amount of the half-yearly instalments payable by the crofter to the Congested Districts Board in respect of the house; and how much of these instalments has been demanded and received by the Congested Districts Board from the crofter since Martinmas, 1907?

Mr. URE

The topic referred to in the first part of the hon. Member's question is the subject matter of an appeal, at present pending, to the Sheriff of Ross-shire against the decision of the Sheriff Substitute. I am not, therefore, in a position to discuss the matter. In reply to the latter part of the hon. Member's question, I have to say that the half-yearly instalment referred to is £2 4s. 5d. Since Martinmas, 1907, payments have been applied for amounting in all to £15 10s. 11d. Nothing has been received.