§ 15. Mr. JOHNSTONasked the Secretary of State far Scotland whether the estate of Eriboll, in Sutherlandshire, acquired by the Scottish Board of Agriculture for the settlement of ex-service men on the land as smallholders, has been privately sold to a sheep farmer; if he will state the price received for the 1664 estate and the sheep stock, and say whether the sheep stock was sold at a Martinmas valuation; and if he will lay upon the Table the report of the arbiter upon this transaction?
§ 17. Mr. NEIL MACLEANasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if the sum of £10,000, for which the estate of Eriboll was sold, includes the amount paid for the sheep upon the farm; and, if not, whether he can state the price paid for the sheep when the estate was bought by the Government and the amount received when they were sold?
§ Sir J. GILMOURThe reply to the first part of the question by the hon. Member for Dundee is in the affirmative. The price received for the estate of Eriboll is £10,000. The price paid for the sheep stock when the Board of Agriculture took entry to the farm at Whit-Sunday, 1921, was £43,295 6s. 1d. The price to be paid by the purchaser for the sheep stock, which is additional to the amount paid for the estate, has not yet been determined. The valuation of the sheep stock is taking place as at Martinmas, 1926. The award by the arbiter has not yet been made. I do not anticipate that the arbiter will make any report beyond the statement of values which will constitute his award.
§ Mr. JOHNSTONMay I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman is aware of any objections or adverse criticisms which have been made on this sale of sheep stock?
§ Sir J. GILMOURI am aware of certain adverse views which have been expressed, but they were fully considered when this arrangement was made.
§ Mr. JOHNSTONArising out of the original answer, may I ask if this is part of the right hon. Gentleman's policy of forbidding ex-service men to be settled on the soil?
§ Sir J. GILMOURNo, Sir. There has been no such effort on my part. Quite the contrary.
§ Sir A. SINCLAIRIs it not the case that this sheep stock is being sold to a private and wealthy purchaser at terms far less favourable to the public than have been offered to the ex-service men, 1665 for whom this estate was bought; whether, if the report of the arbitrator is not yet available, the right hon. Gentleman will lay on the Table the Minute of Reference to the arbitrator, so that we can see on what terms this valuation is being settled; and why I have had no reply to a question which I addressed to him as long as six weeks ago?
§ Sir J. GILMOURWith regard to the first question, as far as the terms are concerned, I think the hon. and gallant Member had better wait until he sees the terms of the award. As to the second supplementary, I am perfectly willing to answer any questions when this transaction has been completed.