§ 35. Mr. HARDIEasked the Secretary of State for Scotland at what date the small holding of Woodhouse, Tarbert, Argyll, which was let to Angus Shaw as from Whitsunday, 1935, ceased to be a small land holding under the Acts of 1911 to 1918; and under what section of these Acts did the proprietor resume possession?
§ Lieut.-Colonel COLVILLEAccording to information supplied by the proprietor on 31st July last, Angus Shaw had then renounced the tenancy of Woodhouse, Tarbert, to which he had previously agreed to enter at Whitsunday, 1935. In November, 1935, the landlord represented that the holding had been vacant for six months and on 31st December, 1935, consent was given, under Section 17 of the Act of 1911 as amended, to let outwith the Small Landholders (Scotland) Acts.
§ Mr. HARDIEIs it not the fact that the statements which were made with regard to the tenant, who understood that he was taking over the holding, were twisted about in order to allow the proprietor to have this area for breeding pheasants for the shooting season, and is that not the basis on which the whole thing rests?
§ Lieut.-Colonel COLVILLEI have no information to lead me to believe that that is the case.
§ Mr. HARDIEIf I can provide the information, will the hon. and gallant Gentleman take up the matter again; and can he say now whether or not the local court and the court in Edinburgh were consulted in regard to this change at the time?
§ Lieut.-Colonel COLVILLEI shall be glad to look into any fresh information which the hon. Gentleman can give, but the proceedings, as far as my information goes, have been quite regular.
§ Mr. MACLEANWere there no other applicants for small holdings in Scotland who could have been allowed to obtain this particular small holding; and why was it necessary for it to be transferred to the proprietor?
§ Lieut.-Colonel COLVILLEThe question of the accessibility of the holding, I understand, entered largely into the matter and it remained unlet for a certain period before the change was made.