§ 43. Mr. MACLEANasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he can state the number of applicants for small holdings who have been settled in Harris since 1912, and the respective dates of their applications for and settlement upon small holdings?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for SCOTLAND (Sir John Gilmour)As the answer contains a number of figures, I propose, with the hon. Member's permission, to circulate it in the OFFICIAL RJSPORT.
§ Following is the answer:
§ 101 applicants have been settled in new holdings or enlargements of existing holdings formed in Harris since 1912. In 1914, 15 were settled who applied in 1912; in 1919, 18 were settled, of whom eight applied in 1912, six in 1913, and four in 1919; in 1921, 26 were settled, of whom 25 applied in 1912, and one in 1919; and, in 1926, 42 were settled, of whom seven applied in 1912, one in 1913, five in 1918, 11 in 1919, one in 1920, one in 1923, and 16 in 1925.
§ 44. Mr. MACLEANasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the statutory authority under which land has been refused to men whose applications have been before his Department for a number of years and who have occupied land without authorisation?
§ Sir J. GILMOURI would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to the question on this subject asked by the hon. Member for Dumbarton Burghs (Mr. Kirkwood) on 3rd May last.
§ Mr. MACLEANIf the right hon. Gentleman will refer to the reply he will see that it does not mention what I ask 2228 him about, namely, the statutory authority under which he claims to have this right?
§ Sir J. GILMOURI have the onus of keeping, or assisting to keep, law and order in the administration of this Department. I also have to hold the balance between those who behave properly and those who do not.
§ Mr. MACLEANIs the House to take it that the right hon. Gentleman admits that he possesses no statutory authority to act as he did act towards these two persons whom he has kept out of small holdings for the last 16 years?
§ Sir J. GILMOURI am quite prepared to take the responsibility for the action that I have taken.
§ Mr. MACLEANWhy did you not say so in your original reply?