§ 25. Mr. NEIL MACLEANasked the Secretary for Scotland whether he is aware that the Reef Farm, Lewes, Scotland, was taken over by the Board of Agriculture four years ago and 18 ex-service men placed there on small holdings; that, before these men took possession, they were promised two new roads, one connecting their holdings with the main road and the other road connecting with the nearest school: that these roads have not been made, the smallholders having to carry all their produce and necessaries and the children having to go to school through bogs and swamps; that they were 1656 offered first less than £200 and, later, £800 to make the roads for themselves, the sums to include wages and payment for tools and blasting materials; and that these men have now informed the factor that they will pay no more rent or taxes until the roads are made; whether he can state what steps he will take to implement the promises made when the small holdings were offered; and how soon he can have the construction of the roads placed in the hands of contractors?
§ Sir J. GILMOUR15 men accepted holdings at Reef in the spring of 1921. The promise made by the Board of Agriculture at that time was a contribution of £550 towards the cost of constructing the access road and school path and of repairing a portion of a third road which provides access to two outlying holdings. The Board in 1924 offered to increase their contribution from £520 to £810, of which £70 is the estimated cost of the necessary tools and blasting materials. This offer has not been accepted by the holders, and work on the roads has not begun. I understand that the holders threatened to withhold payment of the rent due to their landlord and of rates and taxes.
I consider that, the offer made by the Board fully implements the promise given to the holders at their entry, and is an adequate contribution towards the construction of roads, which are wholly for the holders' benefit. In the circumstances I am not prepared to have the work put cut to contract.
§ Mr. MACLEANAre we to understand from that answer that the conditions under which these men received the holdings were that they were to make the roads themselves? Does not the secretary for Scotland see that these men cannot make these roads as satisfactorily as they would be made under contract. and will he, therefore, see that, instead of it, being done in this fashion. the work is given out to contractors, and so allow these people to prosecute the work on their small holdings?
§ Sir J. GILMOURIn most of these cases the money has been given as a contribution towards helping them to construct these roads. It has been found possible in neighbouring places to do so, and I see no reason why it should not be done here.
§ Mr.MACLEANIn view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I will raise this matter at an early date on the Adjournment.