§ 27. Mrs. Mannasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that members of the Sheepbreeders' Association have lost their holdings for lodging complaints against Scottish landlords on account of depredations by deer; and what action he intends to take to protect these food producers against such action.
§ The Joint Under-Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. McNair Snadden)I have no knowledge of any case of the kind suggested by the hon. Lady. The Agricultural Holdings (Scotland) Act, 1949, gives ample protection to the tenants of hill sheep farms and other agricultural holdings against the termination of their tenancies by their landlords without good reason.
§ Mrs. MannDoes the hon. Gentleman not think that he ought to have some knowledge of what is going on in Scotland, particularly when it is freely reported in such a reliable Scottish newspaper as the "Glasgow Herald"; is he aware that if he looks at the "Glasgow Herald" report of 10th January his knowledge will be considerably improved, and that it is to be hoped he will do something about it?
§ Mr. SnaddenI have seen the report to which the hon. Lady refers, but my Department has no evidence whatsoever to support the statements that were made at that meeting. I repeat that in the Agricultural Holdings (Scotland) Act, 1949, ample safeguards are contained against any victimisation under its provisions in respect of notices to quit, or anything like that.