HC Deb 03 December 1946 vol 431 cc180-3
6. Major McCallum

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if the decision, announced in the House early this year, to acquire that part of Ballinaby Farm, Island of Islay, requisitioned by the Department of Agriculture in 1943, will now be reconsidered, in view of the uneconomic manner in which' this farm has been worked under requisition, and the unsatisfactory results achieved from the taxpayers' point of view.

Mr. Westwood

It was decided to acquire part of Ballinaby Farm, Islay, for the purpose of preserving for the Crown the benefit of the increase in the value of the land due to improvements, mainly of a capital nature, carried out since the land was requisitioned in 1943. The decision was taken after full consideration of the circumstances, and I do not propose to reconsider the matter. In view of the condition of the subjects at the date of requisitioning, it was not to be expected that the farming operations would be economic during reconditioning. In all the circumstances I cannot agree that the results are unsatisfactory.

Major McCallum

Is the Minister aware that the methods of his Department in cultivating this farm are notorious? Would he not again investigate the question of allowing it to be rejoined to the estate to which it belongs, in order that it may be farmed in a proper manner?

Mr. Westwood

That is an entirely new point, and I will certainly look into it to see what the position it.

Commander Galbraith

Can the Minister state what the loss was during the past year?

Mr. Westwood

Not without notice. But I can say definitely that the whole of the lands, hereditaments and buildings were in a very bad state when taken over.

7. Major McCallum

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland in what circumstances the holding of Mrs. Flora Shaw, Gartachrossan, Bridgend, Isle of Islay, was taken over for cultivation by the local A.E.C. on behalf of the Department of Agriculture for Scotland; what has been the result of such cultivation; and how it comes about that Mrs. Shaw is now being asked to meet the financial losses incurred by the Department of Agriculture as a result of their fanning operations on her holding.

Mr. Westwood

The holding of Gartachrossan, Islay, was not taken over by the agricultural executive committee. In 1943, the holding was without crop or implements and was semi-derelict. The tenant was unable to comply with the cultivation directions issued by the com- mittee for 1944 and voluntarily entered into a formal agreement with them, under which they undertook to carry out, on her behalf, the required cropping. On the same understanding, the committee carried out cropping in 1945. The holding was in grass in 1946. The results of the committee's operations under the agreement have been the production of crops yielding a return of £533 6s. IId., the improvement of grazing and the restoration of the land to a reasonable state of cleanliness and fertility. There has been a gross profit of £90 18s. 6d. which, after deduction of a small management charge, still to be agreed with the tenant, and of interest charges, will be paid to the tenant in terms of the agreement. I regret that an earlier, but incomplete, statement sent by the committee to the tenant showed a deficit of £2 19s. An amended statement has now been issued to her.

Major McCallum

Is the Minister aware that it was not until my Question was put down that the amending statement was issued, showing a profit instead of a loss? Does not he agree that it would be fairer to the small landowners if they were allowed some form of appeal against this system of directions by the committee on behalf of the Department?

Mr. Westwood:

An entirely different question is contained in the last part of the hon. and gallant Member's supplementary question.

Commander Galbraith

Will the right hon. Gentleman say exactly what he means by "a gross profit"?

Mr. Westwood

I mean exactly what English conveys to anyone who understands it.

Colonel Gomme-Duncan

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what steps he is taking about this gross inefficiency on the part of his Department?

Mr. Stokes

What does the hon. and gallant Member mean by "gross inefficiency"?

Mr. Westwood

I can assure the hon. Gentleman that there is no inefficiency, and I will not bring in the word "gross "as far as my Department is concerned.

Colonel Gomme-Duncan

Was not the difference between £8 and £90 discovered almost overnight?

Commander Galbraith

In view of the fact that the gross profit was £49, can the Minister tell us what was the net profit?

Mr. Westwood

Not without notice. I did not give the figure of £49 but the figure of £90 18s. 6d., so that there is evidence that inaccuracies can arise in this House, as well as in the operations of my Department.