§ 43. Mr. WILKIEasked the Secretary for Scotland whether he is aware that the. Scottish Board of Agriculture have given notice of eviction to Mr. McNaught, a discharged soldier, at present in possession of a small holding at Braeside Gagie, by Dundee; that Mr. McNaught is a married man with a family of seven; that he is to be evicted to make room for another man without family, to whom it is proposed to let fifty acres, which would provide a living for at least three families; and whether, before the eviction takes place, he will have inquiries made into the matter and arrange for this discharged soldier to retain the holding?
§ The SECRETARY for SCOTLAND (Mr. Munro)Mr. McNaught, who was an engine fitter before joining the Army, was allowed temporary occupation of the cottage on the holding referred to, to prevent him from suffering hardship on his removal from a cottage on another estate. There was a clear agreement that his tenancy was not to exceed six months, 264 and no promise of a holding was given to him. The Board must make the most suitable sub-division of lands which they have acquired for small holdings, and their scheme provides for a holding of about fifty acres attached to the cottage. Mr. McNaught would not have the qualifications for a holding of the kind, and the fact that he was given temporary occupation of the cottage gives him no prior claim over other ex-Service men of better qualifications to one of whom it is proposed to allot the holding.