§ 78. Mr. SCOTTasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the register of smallholdings is revised from time to time, as provided in Section 33 of the Small Landholders (Scotland) Act, 1911; whether it is at present up to date; whether, and where, the public can have access to the register; and whether it is used, and is found of assistance, by the Department of Agriculture in order to prevent smallholdings dropping outside the scope of the Small Holdings Acts?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for SCOTLAND (Mr. William Adamson)The compilation of such a register was begun in 1912 but was suspended on the outbreak of War. The question of commencing the work of compilation afresh was considered in 1920, but it was decided, having regard to the expense involved and the lack of powers to obtain all the information required for the register, that the compilation of a register should be left in abeyance. I have decided, however, to examine the whole question further.
§ Mr. SCOTTIs the Secretary of State aware that this is a statutory duty under the Act of 1911 and that he has no option but to obey?
§ Mr. ADAMSONI am aware of that fact.