HC Deb 14 July 1925 vol 186 cc1055-6
26. Major Sir ARCHIBALD SINCLAIR

asked the Secretary for Scotland how many first and second preference ox-service men there are in Scotland who have applied for small holdings but whose applications have not yet been granted; what precautions are taken to ensure that holdings are not given to men who subsequently sub-let them or portions of them; and what steps are taken to stop this practice?

Sir J. GILMOUR

Excluding applications which have been withdrawn, the Board of Agriculture have received up to the end of last month applications for new holdings and enlargements from 2,256 first preference and 1,419 second preference ex-service men which have not yet been granted. The sub-letting or subdivision of a new small holding without the written consent of the landlord is prohibited by statutory provisions. I am informed that few cases of sub-letting other than seasonal lets of grass parks have come to the notice of the Board. If such a case occurs on any of the Board's properties steps are taken to secure the observance of the statutory provisions.

Sir A. SINCLAIR

Seeing that there are 3,500 ex-service men who have not received holdings seven years after the War, will not the right hon. Gentleman give us an assurance that a determined effort will be made to clear off these arrears?

Sir J. GILMOUR

Every effort has been and will be made to deal with applications for small holdings, but I would remind the hon. Member that, if the figures I have given are as stated, many of those men will probably not take up the holdings.

Mr. KIRKWOOD

I would like to ask the right hon. Gentleman if he is not aware that there axe tens of thousands of acres of land lying idle in Scotland that could be utilised in this fashion, and is he not also aware that the only thing that has increased, according to the last census, in the Highlands of Scotland are game-keepers?

Sir ROBERT HUTCHISON

Can the right hon. Gentleman do anything to alter the machinery whereby an allotment of land might be made to these men? In the last seven years over 3,000 men have been waiting, and does he not think something might be done to alter the machinery whereby a superior allotment of land might be made?

Mr. SPEAKER

That cannot be argued now. This question, I think, refers to sub-letting.

Mr. KIRKWOOD

But it is a serious question.