§ 13. Major Sir AREHIBALD SINCLAIRasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the furniture in the shooting lodge at Erribol is to be taken over at valuation by the purchaser; and, if so, by whom it is to be valued?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for SCOTLAND (Sir John Gilmour)The furniture in the lodge at Erribof has been taken over at valuation by the purchaser; the valuer was Mr. F. Thomson, Braes of Enzic, Portgordon, who was the sole arbiter for the valuations of the sheep stock and others to be taken over by the purchaser of the estate.
§ Sir A. SINCLAIRIs there any precedent for a sheep farmer valuing the furniture in a shooting lodge. Is it not the fact that when the Scottish Board of Agriculture bought this property the sheep farmer who was carrying out the valuation declined to act?
§ Sir J. GILMOURI am not aware of the facts, but obviously an arbitrator was agreed upon between the parties.
§ Mr. MAXTONIs there any foundation for the belief very prevalent among the Scottish population that this whole transaction is nothing but a barefaced scandal?
§ Sir J. GILMOURThere is no ground for a supposition of that kind.
§ Mr. JOHNSTONIs the right hon. Gentleman now in possession of the arbiter's report, and, if so, will he take steps to have it laid on the Table of the House?
§ Sir J. GILMOURI have already answered that question. I will supply the House with all the information that I receive.
§ Mr. JOHNSTONHas the right hon. Gentleman got the report yet?
§ Sir J. GILMOURNo, I have not got the full details.
§ 14. Sir A. SINCLAIRasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how much was spent by the Board of Agriculture, while the estate of Erribof was in their possession, on drainage, permanent improvements, and manures; and whether 2747 the Board of Agriculture are to receive the usual valuations at outgoing for these?
§ Sir J. GILMOURThe answer to the first part of the question is as follows: On drainage, £415 10s. 6d.; on permanent improvements, £670 16s. 10d.; on manures, £478 3s. 9d.; the two former amounts include expenditure on necessary repairs. The purchase price is an inclusive price, and it is not usual for items of the character referred to in the question to be valued apart from the purchase price in the case of the sale of a property which has been in the occupation of the seller.
§ Sir A. SINCLAIRSurely it is the case in all sales of property that almost invariably there is compensation paid for improvements?
Sir J. NAILWill the history of this example of the public ownership of land be circulated for the information of hon. Members opposite?