§ 38. Mr. MATHERSasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that certain farms bought by the Department of Agriculture under the crofters' settlement scheme have, as in the case of the farm now known as the Cape Wrath Hotel, near Durness, Suther-landshire, became licensed premises for the sale of intoxicants; and whether in future he will take steps to make it a condition of transfer of property to be used as crofter club farms that they shall not be used as licensed premises?
§ Sir G. COLLINSThe property referred to by the hon. Member was acquired in 1921. The farmhouse was not required for land settlement purposes. Since 1928 it has been occupied as a hotel, and a licence was granted by the local authority. On one other property acquired by the Department there is a licensed hotel which was used as such prior to the acquisition of the property. In neither case are the premises occupied by a landholder. By Statute, a landholder may not open a house on his holding for the sale of intoxicating liquor without the consent of his landlord, and no such consents have been given by the Department.
§ Mr. MATHERSWill no such consent be given by the Department in future?