§ 36. Mr. JAMES HOGGEasked the Secretary for Scotland whether the Board of Agriculture for Scotland has received several petitions from applicants for land under the Small Landholders Act with special reference to the farm of Heylipal, in the island of Tiree; whether he is aware of the grave dissatisfaction that exists owing to the nature of the holdings granted on the farm of Greenhill; and whether, in the case of Heylipal, it is intended to grant holdings, and not mere allotments?
The SECRETARY for SCOTLAND (Mr. McKinnon Wood)The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The lease of the Heylipal Farm expires at Whit Sunday, 1914, and before that term the Board will consider the use of it for holdings. In the meantime it would be premature to say in detail how it would be utilised in that event. As regards the Greenhill Farm, the answer is in the negative. The applicants for holdings there have each signed agreements accepting the holdings, and have expressed satisfaction with the arrangements.
§ Mr. EUGENE WASONWhen are we likely to receive the Report of the Board of Agriculture?
§ 39. Mr. WATTasked whether the Commissioners for small holdings in Scotland 197 have yet secured any land either by purchase or lease for the purpose of setting up small holdings; and, if so, to what extent?
Mr. McKINNON WOODThe main purpose of the Act is not purchase or leasing by the Commissioners. The Report, which is in preparation and will be presented very shortly, will give my hon. Friend the information he desires in a much more satisfactory form than is possible in reply to a question. The Board have arranged for several settlements of landholders by agreement, and a number of applications for compulsory orders have been lodged by the Board with the Land Court.
§ 42. Sir JOHN JARDINEasked the right hon. Gentleman whether, in consideration of the amount of emigration from the rural districts of the county of Roxburgh during recent years, he can hasten the provision of small holdings in that county as a means of retaining shepherds, ploughmen, hinds, and their families on their native soil?
Mr. McKINNON WOODAn application is now before the Land Court for an Order constituting new holdings on the farm in the county of Roxburgh referred to in my reply to my hon. Friend's question on 13th March, and the Board are doing all that is possible to hasten the provision of small holdings in Roxburgh and elsewhere.
§ Sir J. JARDINEHas any small holder yet been located in the county of Roxburgh?