§ 27. Mr. H. STEWARTasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that the rents charged on the smallholding estate at Thirdpart, Fife, are excessively high as compared with the rents charged on adjoining farms and inequitable as between different holdings on the estate, and that two petitions from the holders have been presented to the Department of Agriculture requesting general revision of rents; and whether, in the circumstances, he will cause a special inquiry to be held with a view to adjusting the rents of all the holdings to an equitable level?
§ Sir G. COLLINSI have no information regarding rents charged for farms adjoining the smallholdings at Third-part. The tenants at Thirdpart are entitled to have their rents revised periodically by the Land Court, and I find that, of 15 holders who have qualified for revision of rent, four have exercised their right by applications recently heard by the Land Court and consideration of applications now made in the other cases is pending. In these circumstances I am not satisfied that it is necessary to hold the special inquiry suggested in the question.
§ Mr. STEWARTDoes not the right hon. Gentleman think that it is imposing an impossible task upon the Land Court to reduce one or two rents in accordance with the rules, and the seven-year rule in particular, while leaving other rents high; 1354 and, in view of that difficulty, will he not reconsider his, decision?
§ Sir G. COLLINSThe Land Court was established by Parliament for an express purpose; it has great experience in settling these matters, and I feel that we can leave them fairly in their hands.