§ Mr. GINNELL (Westmeath, N.)To ask the Secretary for Scotland if he will state whether it is the general practice in Scotland, before sanctioning the purchase of holdings with State aid, to fix the then fair rents of the holdings and calculate 823 the purchase prices on those rents; the total number of holdings purchased in Scotland with State aid down to 31st March, 1907; the average number of years purchase of rent agreed to be paid for them; the number of these holdings in respect of which arrears of purchase annuities were then due; the total amount of the annuities; and the total amount of the arrears.
(Answered by Mr. Sinclair) The general practice is as the hon. Member indicates. The total number of holdings purchased in Scotland with State aid down to 31st March, 1907, was eighty-seven. The number of years purchase of rent runs from seventeen and-a-half to twenty, according to price paid by the Board. The number of holdings in respect of which the arrears of purchase annuities were due at 31st March, 1907, is eighty-two. The total amount of the annuities payable up to that date is 824£2,958 2s 5d., and the total amount of the arrears £753 11s. 6d.