HC Deb 05 May 1927 vol 205 cc1760-1
47. Sir HARRY HOPE

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he proposes to set up a Committee to inquire into the settlement of smallholders in Scotland; and, if so, if he can give the names of the Committee?

Sir J. GILMOUR

The reply is in the affirmative. The names of the Committee are as follow:

  • Sir J. Gordon Nairne, Baronet, Director, late Controller of the Bank of England.
    • 1761
  • Mr. J. R. Campbell, formerly Assistant Secretary to the Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction in Ireland.
  • Mr. J. F. Duncan, General Secretary of the Scottish Farm Servants' Union.
  • Mr. Norman Reid, formerly member of the Scottish Land Court.
  • Mr. John Speir, Chairman of the National Farmers' Union of Scotland.
  • Secretary, Mr. W. N. McWilliam, Board of Agriculture for Scotland, Edinburgh.
The terms of reference to the Committee are as follow: To inquire into the settlement of smallholders in Scotland under the Small. Landholders and Land Settlement (Scotland) Acts, with a view to reporting upon the cost incurred by the State in carrying out such settlement; the value of the results achieved both economic and social; the defects, if any, in the procedure under the said Acts with suggestions for such amendments as the Committee may deem expedient; the desirability of devolving upon local authorities any of the powers and duties under the said Acts; and whether any amendment of the law is desirable as regards the valuation for rating of small holdings within the meaning of the said Acts.

Mr. JOHNSTON

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether he is satisfied that there is a single member of this Committee who is favourable to the cause of small holdings?

Sir J. GILMOUR

These gentlemen have been selected from the point of view of their knowledge of the circumstances, and, as far as is humanly possible, from the point of view of their impartiality.

Mr. MACPHERSON

Is it not the fact that Mr. Duncan has publicly stated that he is against small holdings?

Sir J. GILMOUR

I have no knowledge of that, but he is the only representative of a large class of the agricultural labourers in Scotland and is chosen for that reason.

Colonel WEDGWOOD

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the people on this Committee are in favour of small holdings or not?

Sir J. GILMOUR

I have no knowledge. The reference is clear, and they have to inquire into the circumstances of the whole subject and report.