§ 27. Mr. MACLEANasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, seeing that the Board of Agriculture for Scotland own parks and lands in the neighbourhood of Conon Lodge, which are now occupied by local tenants, he will say whether, since the sale of Conon Lodge, these tenants have been informed that their tenancies may not be renewed?
§ Sir J. GILMOURNotices of termination of their tenancies have been given in terms of the respective missives of let 1889 to the joint tenants of a park of seven acres, namely, the Board of Agriculture's factor and the local doctor, and also to the tenant of a plantation extending to 16 acres and let at a rent of 10s. per annum.
§ Mr. MACLEANIs this answer not a contradiction of the reply which the right hon. Gentleman gave last week, and does he intend to offer this particular part of the estate to the new purchaser of Conon Lodge when the individuals to whom notice has been given vacate the land?
§ Sir J. GILMOURNo, Sir; my reply must not be taken as contradictory of anything I have previously said on this subject. So far as regards the conditions, the letting was for a short term and notice was given to terminate it.
§ Mr. MACLEANAre we to understand that this estate, which was bought for the special object of providing small holdings, is now being split up in such a way that the ground is to be used for shooting instead of smallholders getting the benefit of the ground for their own specific purposes?
§ Sir J. GILMOURNo, Sir. The hon. Gentleman must not assume anything of the sort.
§ 28. Mr. MACLEANasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether any agreement or arrangement or understanding, apart from what is contained in the articles of roup of the lodge, was arrived at between the Board and the purchaser of the lodge that the latter would have an opportunity of acquiring the shootings owned by the Board of Agriculture in the neighbourhood of Conon Lodge on the expiry of the present lease thereof; and, if so, whether such options were disclosed to other intending purchasers of the lodge?
§ Sir J. GILMOURThe answer to both parts of the question is in the negative.
§ 29. Mr. MACLEANasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether any arrangement, agreement, or understanding has been arrived at between the purchaser of Conon Lodge and the Board of Agriculture for Scotland, by which the former will acquire the parks and fields adjacent to the lodge so far as these are 1890 now in the occupation of local tenants; and, if so, whether these options were disclosed to other intending purchasers of the lodge?
§ Sir J. GILMOURThe purchaser of Conon Lodge was informed on 23rd October, in response to an inquiry by him, that in the event of his being the successful offerer for Conon Lodge at the public auction, the Board would be prepared to accept an offer from him of £300 for Rha Park and Rha Plantation. In the case of property offered for sale at public auction, it is not known who are intending purchasers; and the inquiry and reply to which I have referred were not published. The Board had no other inquiries from prospective bidders.
§ Mr. MACLEANAre we to take it that this individual is going to get further land from those who have been notified that they have to quit? I think we should have some answer as to this, which is one of the worst pieces of sharp practice that has gone on in Scotland.