§ Mr. RAMSAY MACDONALDasked the Prime Minister whether his attention has-been drawn to the extensive alterations being made in West and South-West Aberdeenshire in the use of land, so that districts occupied by small cultivators or by sheep-farmers have been cleared and are now given over exclusively to sport; and whether, in view of the necessity of preserving a population thus sacrificed he will propose to introduce and carry such land legislation for Scotland as will make it impossible for landlord interests to sacrifice national interests?
§ The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Asquith)I am quite alive to the importance of the matter to which the hon. Member refers, but he will not, I am sure, expect me to give any pledge at the moment as to the reintroduction of legislation dealing with Scottish land or as to new legislation on the subject.
§ Mr. WEDGWOODMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether, in consequence of the policy pursued, the assessment for the rates in this area which has been cleaned has been reduced?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI cannot answer that without notice.
§ Mr. HUNTIn view of the necessity of preserving our agriculture and keeping up the agricultural population, can the right hon. Gentleman see his way to put as large import duties upon competing goods as our own food producers have to-pay in rates and taxes?