§ THE EARL OF MINTOasked Her Majesty's Government, Whether they are disposed to supplement the information proposed to be obtained from the Returns moved for in this House on Tuesday last on the subject of Scottish Entails | by ascertaining the value of the lands under entail in Scotland under the several categories of the proposed Returns, the names of the existing heirs in possession thereof, and in what districts such lands are situated? The noble Earl observed that the Returns moved for a few days ago would be, no doubt, extremely; valuable, and he desired to express his satisfaction that a promise had been obtained that they would be given. He believed the Returns might, with great advantage to the public of Scotland, be made fuller, especially in the direction he indicated in his Question. A grievance had been made out of this subject on 1401 behalf of the occupying tenantry, the statement being that on entailed land there was less prosperity than on unentailed land; but he thought it would be found that if they had the means of ascertaining what lands were entailed and not entailed, the prosperity of the former class of land was as high as the other. He did not wish to throw cold water on the Bill before the House; but he thought it was very desirable that further facilities should be given to ascertain the real facts of the case, and they should know whether the operation of this legislation would be felt over a small or a large portion of Scotland. He wished to know if the Government would produce information of the kind he had mentioned?
THE EAEL OF ROSBBERYI quite agree with my noble Friend that the Returns which he asks for would be useful; but I think he will not be disposed to hinder the publication of the Returns which were moved for by the noble Earl (the Earl of Camperdown), who I do not see in his place. I telegraphed as soon as I read my noble Friend's Notice to Edinburgh, and I find that the furnishing of these Returns he asks for would be attended with considerable delay. I therefore cannot promise them; but if he will be satisfied with my assurance that I will make inquiry into the matter at once, and see if they can be furnished in time to be of any use, and, if so, I shall do my best to furnish them.
§ House adjourned at half past Five o'clock, to Monday next, a quarter before Eleven o'clock.