25. Captain A. RAMSAYasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, in view of the financial straits in which 182 smallholders in Peeblesshire are placed owing to the condition of agriculture in Scotland and the fact that their rents are now the highest in the locality, he will consider making reductions in these rents for the current year similar to those recently made by private owners of adjacent properties?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for SCOTLAND (Sir Godfrey Collins)I assume that the holdings to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers are those situated on Haystoun Estate belonging to the Department of Agriculture for Scotland. I have no information regarding the rents paid to owners of adjacent properties. The Department's tenants at Haystoun are entitled to have their rents revised periodically by the Scottish Land Court, and I find that of the 19 holders concerned, 15 qualified not less than two years ago to claim such revision of rent but have not exercised their right. Of the remaining four, three will be eligible to claim revision at Martinmas, 1933, and the other at Martinmas, 1934. In the circumstances I am not satisfied that it is necessary to take action on the lines suggested in the question.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODAre we to take it that there are certain individuals here who have a right to claim a reduction of rent, and make no claim?
§ Sir G. COLLINSThey had the right to apply for a revision of rent.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODBut they did not make any application?
§ Sir G. COLLINSThey did not exercise their right to have their rent revised.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODIs this not evidence that those individuals did not know that they had the right?
26. Captain RAMSAYasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how much land is at present available in Midlothian for holdings for unemployed miners; and whether applications from men of other trades will be considered?
§ Sir G. COLLINSThirty-one acres have been made available at Oakbank in Midlothian. Nine acres or thereby are still unlet. Applications in this and other areas are open to others than miners.
§ 27. Captain McEWEN (for Mr. SCRYMGEOUR-WEDDERBURN)asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of smallholdings in Scotland now and in 1931; and the number of unsatisfied applications in the possession of his Department?
§ Sir G. COLLINSThe only figures available in precise form are those based on the agricultural returns taken by the Department of Agriculture for Scotland on the 4th June in each year, which show that, in the years 1931 and 1932, the numbers of agricultural holdings in Scotland exceeding one acre and not exceeding 50 acres in extent were 50,495 and 50,590 respectively. The number of unsatisfied applications for new holdings on the Department's lists at 28th February, 1933, was 5,329.