§ 30 and 31. Mr. WILLIAM YOUNGasked the Secretary for Scotland (1) whether be is aware that eight cottars were, at the Oban Sheriff Court on Saturday last, sentenced to ten days' imprisonment and found liable to expenses for taking possession of 13 acres on the farm of Balephethish, Tiree, on the estate of the Duke of Argyll; that the illegality consisted in providing themselves with part of a sheep run on which to grow necessary food, and that they have already sown their crops; whether it is intended to continue the 541 persecution of these men, who are only voicing the demand in Scotland for access to the land which has been burked by the feeble administration of the 1911 Land Act; whether he has yet any practical proposals to make for giving access to the land in Scotland for those who desire it; (2) whether he is aware of the indignation expressed throughout Scotland at the imprisonment of eight Tiree crofters for the seizure of 13 acres of derelict sheep run for the purpose of growing food; whether he is aware that the men have already cultivated the land and planted their crops; and whether he will take steps to see that these hungry men and their families, many of whose relatives are fighting for their country in France and elsewhere, are not further disturbed until their crops are reaped?
The SOLICITOR-GENERAL for SCOTLAND (Mr. Morison)My right hon. Friend is aware of the illegal cultivation effected by the cottars in question, and of the Sheriff Court proceedings referred to. He much regrets this misguided action on the part of men who are otherwise law-abiding citizens. It has placed an additional obstacle in the way of the Board of Agriculture for Scotland in their endeavour to obtain additional land in Tiree. He has no authority to give any undertaking in regard to further legal proceedings. As regards the general questions of land policy raised by my hon. Friend, it is hardly possible to discuss them within the limits of question and answer.
My right hon. Friend desires to add, in reference to this case, that the Board had had under consideration the advisability of action for increased cultivation under the Defence of the Realm regulations. The Board were prepared to draw up a scheme under those Regulations, whereby land might be offered to the applicants as a temporary measure in the interests of food production, and were about to request the assistance of the district agricultural committee when they were informed of the illegal action of the applicants. This made further proceedings on the part of the Board impracticable.
§ Mr. YOUNGWill the hon. and learned Gentleman state what in his opinion these men were going to do—were they going to starve or get off the island?
§ Mr. PRINGLEHow long did the Board of Agriculture delay action so as to render this illegal action on the part of the men necessary?
Mr. MORISONI cannot say, but I can assure the hon. Member, knowing how anxious the Board of Agriculture is to increase the food supply, that there was no unnecessary delay.
§ Mr. SPEAKERI would ask the hon. Member for East Edinburgh to restrain himself from making these quasi-amusing observations. They do not really assist progress and stand very much in his own way when he wishes to speak. He would resent them very much if other people made them.