§ 23. Miss HORSBRUGHasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is in a position to make any statement regarding recent developments relating to the provision of small holdings and plots for cultivation by unemployed persons in the neighbourhood of Dundee?
§ Sir G. COLLINSIt gives mo great pleasure to announce that the Department of Agriculture for Scotland have received from Mr. James Mathew, a well-known citizen of Dundee, the offer, as a free gift, of the farm of Dryburgh extending to 188 acres near Dundee for the purpose of placing unemployed men from Dundee and district on the land. He has also gifted £7,000 for purposes connected with the scheme. In addition he proposes to create a trust fund estimated at between £25,000 and £30,000 for the furtherance of land settlement projects making a total provision by the donor of over £50,000. I am sure that the House will wish me to express cordial thanks to Mr. Mathew, on behalf of the Government, for his handsome and generous gift.
§ Miss HORSBRUGHCan the right hon. Gentleman give sufficient publicity to this gift so that this trust may be added to by other citizens of Dundee or elsewhere who may also want to help in this cause?
§ Sir G. COLLINSI am sure that that expression of opinion and the spirit of the House this afternoon will be conveyed to the minds of the public in the ordinary way.
§ Dr. ADDISONMay I ask whether the Government will exercise their own powers in this matter instead of being dependent upon the charity of public-spirited individuals?
§ Sir G. COLLINSThe right hon. Gentleman appears to be unaware of the intention of the Government in driving forward land settlement in Scotland.
§ Dr. ADDISONHave the Government exercised their powers in any measure whatever under the 1931 Act?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat has nothing to do with this question at all.