§ 17. Mr. MACLEANasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if the three inspections made of the Shiel estate were made by the same inspector or 840 inspectors; and whether he is prepared to publish the reports or place copies in the Library of the House?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for SCOTLAND (Sir John Gilmour)The three inspections referred to were not made by the same inspector. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative.
§ Mr. MACLEANWhy will not the right hon. Gentleman lay the report of these inspectors on the Table of this House, or in the Library, so that Scottish Members can find out the reasons given by these inspectors for the abandonment of the holdings applied for 11 years ago.
§ Sir J. GILMOURThe reports are made confidentially to the Department and the Minister concerned.
§ Mr. MACLEANIs not the effect of these reports to prevent the right hon. Gentleman and the Board of Agriculture giving holdings to these men who applied over that period of time, and to prevent them getting holdings anywhere else while these inspections are being made; and will the right hon. Gentleman not produce these reports, so that people in the country may form an opinion as to their value?
§ Sir J. GILMOURNo, Sir.
§ Mr. MACLEANI beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment to-night.
§ 18. Mr. MACLEANasked the Secretary of State for Scotland the findings of the Land Court when they permitted the proprietor of Blair Farm, Muir of Ord, to resume the holding?
§ Sir J. GILMOURThe findings of the Land Court in this case were as stated in my reply to the hon. Member's question of 24th ultimo on this subject. I have obtained a copy of the Order which was made by the Land Court and am forwarding it to the hon. Member.