HC Deb 26 October 1943 vol 393 cc26-7
41. Mr. Maclean

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he can give the names of the various persons or syndicates who at one time or another since Whitsunday 1942 have held the Balmacaan estate?

Mr. Johnston

As the answer is rather long, I propose, with the hon. Member's permission, to circulate the particulars available in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. Maclean

What were the reasons for this number of transfers within such a short time, and was there any difference in the prices when this land was being transeferred from one party to another?

Mr. Johnston

The answer to the last part of that Supplementary Question will be found in the figures which will be published in the OFFICIAL REPORT. There is no very obvious agricultural interest observable in these transactions.

Mr. Maclean

As to the so-called agricultural interests, is not this a ramp in land in the Highlands of Scotland?

Following are the particulars:

According to information obtained from the Register of Sasines the trustees of the Dowager Countess of Seafield sold the estates of Balmacaan and Urquhart and Abriachen with entry at Whitsunday 1942, for £88,000 to George Coldham Knight, Estate Agent, of Beechen Grove House, Chorley Wood, Hertfordshire. On 31st August, 1942, the estates were sold by George Coldham Knight for £120,000 to Panton Investments, Ltd., 22, Park Street, London, W.I. They were sold on 7th September, 1942, by Panton Investments, Ltd., for the same sum to Princes Investments, Ltd., 22, Park Street, London, W.I, and on 10th November, 1942, by Princes Investments, Ltd., again for the same sum, to Gillett Stephen and Company, Ltd., Atlas Works, Great Bookham, Surrey. On 6th November, 1942, Princes Investments, Ltd., had agreed to sell a portion of the estate, extending to 540.7 acres, to Montague L. Meyer, Ltd., Melbourne House, Aldwych, London. This portion was transferred to Montague L. Meyer, Ltd., for a sum of £30,300 by a disposition granted by Gillett Stephen and Company, Ltd., and registered in the Register of Sasines on 18th January, 1943.