§ 20. Major Sir ARCHIBALD SINCLAIRasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how much the Board of Agriculture paid for the furniture in the lodge of Erribol; how much has since been spent upon additional furniture for the lodge; and how much the arbiter has awarded the Board of Agriculture for the furniture?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for SCOTLAND (Sir John Gilmour)The Board paid £600 for furniture taken over from the former tenant at Whitsunday, 1921. The cost of additional furniture purchased by them was approximately £175. The amount awarded by the valuer for furniture taken over by the present owner at Martinmas, 1926, was £453 13s. 6d.
§ Sir A. SINCLAIRThen what has happened to the difference between the £775 obtained for this furniture and the £453 received for it?
§ Sir J. GILMOURThat is a matter of opinion on which I could not venture to say anything.
§ Sir HARRY BRITTAINCould the right hon. Gentleman say whether the furniture was new or secondhand?
§ Mr. H. WILLIAMSWould the right hon. Gentleman suggest to the Prime Minister that we ought to have a day for discussion of this subject?
§ 51. Sir A. SINCLAIRasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the Treasury were consulted and approved the exposure of the estate of Erribol for sale by public auction subject to the valuation of the sheep-stock at Whitsunday; whether they were consulted before it was decided to sell by private treaty with a Martinmas valuation only a portion of the ordinary sheep-stock of the farm; whether they considered the terms of the bargain which were contained in the missives of sale to the present purchaser and in the terms of reference to the arbiter in the sheep-stock valuation; whether they appreciated the difference between the new terms and those on which the sale had been advertised by auction; and whether they approved the decision to sell on the news terms by private treaty without inviting competitive offers?
§ Sir J. GILMOURI have been asked to reply. The Treasury were consulted on the financial aspect of the various proposals for the sale of this property and gave such approval as was required to authorise the steps taken.
§ Sir A. SINCLAIRDid the Treasury know at the time this negotiation was going on for eventual purchase that there were other people inquiring about the farm and making offers to buy it?
§ Sir J. GILM0URNo, obviously as no one had direct information no definite offer was made.
§ Mr. STEPHENWill the right hon. Gentleman allay the widespread discontent in connection with the matter and arrange for a Select Committee of the House to inquire into it?
§ Sir J. GILMOURNo, Sir.
§ Lieut.-Commander BURNEYWill the hon. Member buy it himself to save further trouble?