§ 27. Mr. MACLEANasked the Secretary of State for Scotland the area of land which has been acquired on the farm of Scarristaveg for the purpose of forming small holdings and enlarging existing holdings?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for SCOTLAND (Sir John Gilmour)The area of land on which it is proposed to constitute new holdings and enlargements of existing holdings comprises the whole farm of Scarristaveg, and extends to 1,682 acres or thereby.
§ 28. Mr. MACLEANasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if the new small holdings and enlargements of existing holdings on Scarristaveg farm have yet been allocated; and, if so, to whom?
§ Sir J. GILMOURThe allocation of new holdings and enlargements of existing holdings from the farm of Scarristaveg has not yet been completed, but the proprietor's proposals, to which I have agreed, are that the enlargement will be shared by the holders in the adjoining township of Northton, and that the new holdings will be assigned to Miss Hannah Macleay, Mr. John Macleod and Mr. John McCuish.
§ Mr. MACLEANCan the right hon. Gentleman inform the House how many years the three persons who have received the new holdings have had their applications before the Board?
§ Sir J. GILMOURI cannot without notice
§ Mr. MACLEANDoes not the right hon. Gentleman consider that, when these three new holdings were being allocated, the claims of two men who have had their applications in since as far back as 1912 ought to have been considered favourably?
§ Sir J. GILMOURNo, Sir; these claims are submitted to the proprietor, and the proprietor has a right of expressing a view in the matter.
§ Mr. MACLEANAre we to understand that the Scottish Board of Agriculture have no right, if the proprietor says that certain individuals are to go upon the holding, and that their list of applicants is not to be considered at all?
§ Sir J. GILMOURThe hon. Gentleman has been repeatedly informed that this scheme is one which the Board of Agriculture cannot enforce, and it must be done voluntarily with the assent of the proprietor.
§ Mr. MACLEANWill the right hon. Gentleman be good enough to send me particulars of the arrangement that has been entered into between the proprietor of this estate and the Scottish Office?
§ Sir J. GILMOURUntil the whole scheme has been completed it is not possible to supply full details, but the hon. Gentleman can put down a further question.
§ Mr. MACLEANThe right hon. Gentleman has already informed the House that the new holdings have been allocated, and that they have been allocated according to the wishes of the proprietor: I wish to know if he can give the terms of the arrangement by which these new holdings have been allocated?
§ Sir J. GILMOURI have told the hon. Member the terms on which they have been allocated.