HC Deb 11 May 1922 vol 153 cc2385-6
68. Sir J. D. REES

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether the Departmental Committee on Deer Forests has reported that the land settlement policy of the Government has shown that even the less barren parts of the Highlands can only be repeopled at heavy cost to the taxpayer, while increase in local assessments has made Highland ratepayers reluctant to see any rateable subjects destroyed; and whether, in view of these overriding general findings, any action will be taken upon the recommendations made by the Committee?

The LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. C. D. Murray)

My right hon. Friend is aware of the statements to which my hon. Friend refers, and which occur in the letter introductory to the Report. The considerations in question were evidently present to the minds of the Committee when formulating their recommendations, and they are not, in the opinion of my right hon. Friend, to be taken as overriding, or as qualifying, the recommendations of the Report.

Sir J. D. REES

Is it then to be understood that the preamble of this Report is as meaningless as that of the Parliament Act?