§ 24. Mr. Rankinasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will introduce legislation to ensure that before any land in Scotland shall be sold to a foreign buyer his sanction must first be obtained.
§ Mr. N. MacphersonNo, Sir.
§ Mr. RankinWould not the Minister expand that somewhat over-brief answer? Surely, there is a little more to be said? Surely, there is one Minister on the Government Front Bench who sometimes to himself hath said something about his native land?
§ Mr. MacphersonUnder the Status of Aliens Act, 1914, aliens have the right to hold and acquire property in the same way as British subjects. To detract from that would be a retrograde and illiberal step, in the opinion of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State, and in the opinion of the Home Secretary, and one which he is not prepared to contemplate.