HC Deb 24 March 1914 vol 60 cc182-3
30. Mr. FALCONER

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether, under the award which has been pronounced in the arbitration under the Small Landholders (Scotland) Act, between the Board of Agriculture for Scotland and the proprietor of the farm of Lindean, the arbiter has found that the return received by the proprietor from the new holdings and from the price of the buildings belonging to him will exceed the return previously received by him from the subjects taken, and that no injury has been caused to the amenity of the mansion house and grounds, and that he has, notwithstanding, awarded £4,600 as compensation to the proprietor in respect of the creation of small holdings on one farm of his estate; and what action the Government propose to take in regard to the award?

Mr. McKINNON WOOD

My hon. Friend is correct in stating that the return to the proprietor will be increased, that no injury has been caused to the amenity of the mansion house and grounds, and that the arbiter awarded £4,600 as compensation to the proprietor in respect of the creation of small holdings on one farm of his estate, but subject to the substitution of a smaller sum for £4,600 if the claim for depreciation in the value of the estate should not prove in all respects well founded. The Board of Agriculture. through their counsel have made representations to the arbiter on the subject of this claim, and have asked him to state a special case thereon to the Lord Ordinary.

Mr. FALCONER

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether it is not a fact that this award of £4,600 is made in respect of the depreciation of the owner of this property of his rights—of his right of arbitrary eviction—which is supposed to be the public services of the Act?

Sir GEORGE YOUNGER

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware it is nothing of the kind, and that, as a matter of fact, there is only £20 difference in the rental, the depreciation of the property from the point of view of the number of years' purchase is very great?

Mr. McKINNON WOOD

I think all these questions are questions I should not answer, as the matter is one before the High Courts.

Mr. J. M. HOGGE

Was anything given for moral and intellectual damage?

31. Mr. MORTON

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he will endeavour to get the Board of Agriculture (Scotland) to consider the applications for the farm of Achaphris, Shinness, Larig, Sutherland, which have been before that Board for many months?

Mr. McKINNON WOOD

Negotiations regarding this farm have taken place between the Small Holdings Commissioner and the proprietor and tenant. A scheme for the constitution of new holdings is at present under consideration.