§ 19. Sir A. SINCLAIRasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, in view of the number of unsatisfied applicants for small holdings in nearly every county in Scotland, he proposes to ask Parliament to make up the loss caused to the Agriculture (Scotland) Fund by the diversion of £12,805 for the purpose of erecting houses on the Wester Hailes estate within the city of Edinburgh?
Mr. W. ADAMSONThe hon. and gallant Member appears to be under a misapprehension. The sum referred to, which includes provision for steadings as well as for houses, is part of the cost of a scheme of land settlement to provide for some of the applicants to whom he 1936 refers, and. is a competent and proper charge on the Agriculture (Scotland) Fund.
§ Sir A. SINCLAIRIs it not a fact that these houses are being erected inside the city boundary of Edinburgh, and surely this wealthy corporation should be able to build houses for its own people inside its own boundary without drawing upon the scanty resources of the Agriculture (Scotland) Fund?
Mr. ADAMSONIn my reply, I directed the attention of the hon. and gallant Member to the fact that these charges were for steadings as well as for houses.