§ 15. Mr. Malcolm MacMillanasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has yet completed the research which he undertook to make into the questions raised by the hon. Member for the Western Isles on 21st January last concerning compensation granted by the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MaclayI would refer the hon. Member to the statements from the parties concerned which appeared in the Press on 25th January, and to the statement made by my hon. Friend the Joint Under Secretary in the House on 27th January in which he dealt with the matter.
§ Mr. MacMillanIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that it has now emerged that Lord Lovat benefited from direct compensation and also from improvements to his estate at the expense of the Hydro-Electric Board by over £200,000? Is he further aware that another objector has received over £50,000 and that there are several other objectors whose compensation and other benefits are still undisclosed? Does he not think it is time that there was more answerability by the Hydro-Electric Board to this House, which has a direct 200 interest in the financial guarantees arising from the Hydro-Electric Board's activities? Is it not time that we had more information?
§ Mr. MaclayThe matter was fully explained earlier. The Hydro-Electric Board does everything in its power to get the best possible settlement which is fair to all parties concerned.