HC Deb 14 November 1916 vol 87 cc580-1
61 and 62. Mr. WILLIAM YOUNG

asked the Secretary for Scotland (1) what practical steps, apart from the Small Holdings Colonies Act, the Scottish Office has taken to deal with the settlement on the land of discharged Service men who are desirous of taking up rural life after the War; and (2) whether the Scottish Board of Agriculture has developed in detail any proposal for the effective rural colonisation of Scotland after the War; and will he say what sum of money has the Board of Agriculture for Scotland now available for the purposes of establishing small holdings under the Small Landholders Act of 1911?

Mr. TENNANT

The matters referred to in both questions are receiving my attention in consultation with the Board of Agriculture for Scotland, but I am not in a position now to make any definite statement. After meeting claims maturing during the current financial year the Board should have an approximate balance of £200,000 available for land settlement and other purposes.

Mr. HOGGE

Can my right hon. Friend say when he will be able to give the Scottish Members the return with regard to the Duke of Sutherland's offer of land?

Mr. TENNANT

I hoped we would be able to lay it before now, but its preparation has taken some time, and it is still in the hands of the printers.

Mr. RAFFAN

Has the right hon. Gentleman obtained any estimate of the number of men who desire to settle on the land after the War is over?

Mr. TENNANT

No; if my hon. Friend can give me an estimate based on any intelligible principle I should be only too delighted.

Mr. RAFFAN

Is it not the fact that inquiries have been made through commanding officers among the men at the front already, and are not those figures available?

Mr. TENNANT

I do not know whether they are available, nor do I know whether they are reliable, but I will consult with the officers.

Mr. YOUNG

Will the right hon. Gentleman be able to make a statement soon?

Mr. TENNANT

I hope to be able to make a statement in due time.

Mr. OUTHWAITE

Has the right hon. Gentleman received a resolution passed at a Glasgow Conference demanding the taxation of land values, and does the right hon. Gentleman propose to take any notice of that suggestion?

Mr. TENNANT

I cannot really say whether I have or have not.