§ 44. Major Sir ARCHIBALD SINCLAIRasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what precedents exist for selling a Sutherland sheep stock at a Martinmas valuation; and on what grounds it was decided to sell the Eriboll sheep stock at Martinmas without advertisement or public notice?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for SCOTLAND (Sir John Gilmour)I am not in possession of comprehensive information as to the precedents that may exist for selling a Sutherland sheep stock at a Martinmas valuation, but I am aware that a Whitsunday valuation is usually adopted in such transactions. Eriboll estate had been offered for sale by public auction on three occasions on the basis of a Whitsunday valuation of the sheep stock and no bids had been received; and, therefore, when an offerer was forthcoming who was prepared to pay the upset price at which the property was last put up at auction I decided that his offer should be accepted, although it was conditional on a Martinmas valuation for the sheep.
§ Sir A. SINCLAIRIs it not the fact that there is not one precedent for this valuation and that it may make a difference to the public of from a quarter to one-third of the whole value of the sheep stack?
§ Mr. RILEYWill the right hon. Gentleman answer the last part of the question as to the grounds on which this decision is arrived at?
§ Sir J. GILMOURThe grounds were that the estate was not going to be useful for the original purpose for which it was bought and it was sold in the public interests.
§ 46. Sir A. SINCLAIRasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will publish the precise terms of the 1847 agreement under which the estate of Eriboll was sold, the minute of reference to the arbiter at the sheep stock valuation, and copies of any papers containing instructions or information conveyed to the arbiter by the Board of Agriculture or by the Board and the purchaser jointly?
§ Sir J. GILMOURAs I indicated in a reply which I gave to a supplementary question yesterday, I shall be prepared to give to any hon. Member the result of the arbiter's award when it has been made.
§ Sir A. SINCLAIRWill the right hon. Gentleman lay the Minute of the reference to the arbiter so that we can see exactly what are the terms on which this sheep stock has been valued?
§ Sir J. GILMOURNo, Sir; I think that is quite unnecessary.