§ 6. Captain McEWENasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, in view of the worsening conditions in agriculture, especially in respect of barley, oats, and potatoes, he will now take steps to give effect to the joint request of the smallholders in the counties of Berwick and East Lothian for an immediate reduction of rent?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for SCOTLAND (Sir Godfrey Collins)I would remind my hon. and gallant Friend that the smallholders on the estates of the Department of Agriculture for Scotland in the counties of Berwick and East Lothian are entitled to periodical revision of rents by the Land Court with, in some cases, the alternative of a single Arbiter. I find that since entering their holdings, 96 of the 197 holders on the Department's estates in these counties have qualified to claim revision of rent, and that while the majority of them have had this right for several years, only 12 of them have exercised it. In all the circumstances I am not satisfied that it is necessary to take action on the lines suggested in the question.
§ Captain McEWENAre we to understand that the State, as a landlord, is going to be less generous than private enterprise?
§ Sir G. COLLINSI do not think there is anything in my answer which would warrant the hon. Member giving it that meaning.