HC Deb 26 July 1938 vol 338 cc2901-2
76. Mr. Macquisten

asked the right hon. and gallant Member for Rye, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, in view of the fact that the proprietor of the castle and estate of Benmore gifted said subjects to the Forestry Commission and included therein all the feu duties or ground rents and certain piers, that the Commission accepted the gift and took possession of the subjects and drew revenue from the piers, but in the case of one of them, Blairmore Pier, refrained from keeping it in repair and have now decided to shut it, causing serious loss to the properties of the tenants or vassals of the donor of the estate, what steps does he propose to take to remedy the position that has arisen from the decision to close this pier?

Colonel Sir George Courthope (Forestry Commissioner)

It is not a fact that the feu duties or ground rents at Blairmore, Strone, and Kilmun, which are the only villages on the estate of Benmore, were gifted to the Forestry Commission. They received three piers, but expenditure on repairs has exceeded the revenue from the piers, although the Commission are not legally liable for their maintenance. The Commission have been advised that Blair-more Pier must be closed unless extensive and expensive reconstruction is undertaken. This they are not prepared to undertake, as the other piers on the estate at Kilmun and Strone will continue to be available. The former was repaired in 1927 at the cost of £2,700. The latter was rebuilt in 1930 at the cost of £3,500, and expenditure of £775 on repairs has recently been authorised.

Mr. Macquisten

Is it not a fact that Benmore house and gardens were given for the purpose of afforestation, that they are supported by the ground rents and are now occupied by students learning afforestation, and that the magnificent gift was given by the late Mr. Younger, who never expected that his tenants would be done down like this and that the piers which they did repair are not accessible for many days of the year while Blair-more always is accessible; and is the action of the Commission in shutting it not a shocking piece of ingratitude?