HC Deb 26 June 1928 vol 219 cc216-7
14. Mr. MACLEAN

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when the applications for small holdings were made by Neil Macdonald and Ewan MacLennan, who were sentenced at Lochmaddy on 14th June for occupying land?

Major ELLIOT

Applications for small holdings were made by Neil Macdonald and Ewan MacLennan to the Board of Agriculture for Scotland in May, 1912.

Mr. MACLEAN

Are we to understand that applications for holdings which were made by these individuals in 1912 have not been granted, and is the Under-Secretary surprised that these men, who have been held off the land for so many years, should take possession of land? Will the Secretary of State for Scotland take further steps to speed up the work of putting on to the land men who have made applications in 1912?

Major ELLIOT

The hon. Member knows that this matter has been frequently the subject of discussion and debate in the House, and he will not expect me to make a statement on it at question time.

Mr. MACLEAN

Does not the reply indicate that these men have a very long standing grievance against the Scottish Office, seeing that they made application in 1912 for small holdings and that in the year of grace, 1928, 16 years afterwards, they are still without holdings? Have not these men a right to get land?

Major ELLIOT

As to the question of right, it certainly is desirable that they should have small holdings, but, like all these things, this costs money, and arrangements have to be made. As I say, this has been the subject of considerable debate in the House, and it is not possible to go into this question at necessary length at question time.

Mr. MACLEAN rose

——

Mr. SPEAKER

These details do not arise from the question on the Paper.

Mr. MACLEAN

On a point of Order. With all due respect to your Ruling, this matter has been in the hands of the Scottish Office since 1912.

HON. MEMBERS

That is not a point of Order.

Mr. MACLEAN

Mr. Speaker is in the Chair. We do not want half-a-dozen Speakers over there. [HON. MEMBERS: "Order!"] These men are now serving a sentence in prison———

Mr. SPEAKER

The original question asked when the application for small holdings was made, and that has been answered; indeed, I think the hon. Member has given the information himself.

Mr. MACLEAN

But you have already allowed supplementary questions upon matters not arising out of the questions asked, and I am asking a question—[HON. MEMBERS: "Order!"]—relating to these men—[HON. MEMBERS: "Time!"]—who for 16 years have been without land and are now in prison. Surely, we have a right to ventilate this case on the Floor of the House?

Mr. SPEAKER

That must be brought up at the proper time, not at Question Time.

Mr. MACLEAN

It has been brought up several times, and no action has been taken.

Mr. KIRKWOOD

Arising from that last point——

Mr. SPEAKER

We must pass on to the next question.

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