§ Mr. WATTTo ask the Secretary to the Treasury, in connection with the purchase of Inverliever, Argyllshire, for afforestation, what were the casualties the redemption of which was included in the price of £2,110, or 33 years' purchase, paid for the feu duty; what was the value placed upon these casualties by his 744 Department; and who was the seller of the feu duty.
(Answered by Mr. Hobhouse.) The purchase from the Duke of Argyll for £2,110 was of certain rights of superiority in parts of the Inverliever estate and included feu duties payable to His Grace amounting to £62 19s. l0d. sterling, and certain casualties. The casualties are as to part untaxed, and a composition for this part would amount approximately to £380. As to a further part there is a question as to whether the composition is taxed at a nominal sum or not. If it is untaxed the amount would be about £45. The statutory rate for redeeming casualties is one-and-a-half times the highest casualty. The transaction was dealt with as a whole, and the Commissioners of Woods were advised that the price agreed upon was reasonable.