HC Deb 15 July 1952 vol 503 cc1954-6
7. Mr. Pryde

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland why an efficient arable farmer should be dispossessed of good arable land to make way for the Department of Agriculture to conduct research into grazing, as has happened in the case of a farmer at Milton Bridge, Midlothian.

Mr. Snadden

I assume that the hon. Member has in mind the notice which the University of Edinburgh have served on their tenant to quit the farm of New Milton. The notice was served in order that the farm may be made available for research purposes to the Edinburgh Centre of Rural Economy (not the Department of Agriculture for Scotland). My right hon. Friend has given his consent to the operation of the notice to quit, after careful inquiry under the procedure of the Agricultural Holdings (Scotland) Act, 1949. The tenant however has the right of appeal to the Scottish Land Court and, as the time during which appeal may be made has not yet expired, it would not be appropriate at this stage for me to go into detail as to the reason for my right hon. Friend's decision.

Mr. Pryde

Is the Minister aware that a member of this family has served on the Bush estate for generations and that the object of requisitioning is for experimenting not in arable land but in grazing? Is he aware that this farm is an arable farm and that some of us are in great doubt whether there is a statutory power on the part of the university to acquire this land?

Mr. Snadden

The answer is that the farm is required for the Animal Diseases Research Association, but the tenant has, until 17th July, a right to appeal to the Scottish Land Court. I am sure that the hon. Member will realise that it would be undesirable for me to comment upon the matter pending any inquiry.

Mr. Pryde

Will the hon. Gentleman not consider some other practical method of acquiring land for experimental purposes rather than dispossessing good farmers?

Mr. Snadden

There is statutory power in existing legislation covering research.

Mr. Boothby

Has my hon. Friend any evidence in this case that the farmer is inefficient?

Mr. Snadden

No, Sir. There is no evidence at all, but on the other hand we have to take into account that research must go on, especially into animal diseases.

Sir D. Robertson

Would my hon. Friend consider recommending his right hon. Friend to go north, where there is an abundance of grazing land which is not used and which would not involve dispossessing a farmer who apparently has been in possession for so long? Would it not be a good thing for them to carve out a farm for themselves?

Mr. Snadden

It would not be a good thing for the University of Edinburgh to have a research farm so far away from Edinburgh.