§ 44. Mr. Rankinasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will take the steps necessary to enable him to issue as soon as possible a report on the present ownership of land in Scotland, in view of the fact that the last one was made in 1874.
§ Mr. NobleI am not clear that any useful purpose would be served by preparing a report of this kind.
§ Mr. RankinEven if it is of no interest to the Secretary of State, does not he realise that it would be of interest to many other Scotsmen to know who owns Scotland? Does he not know that many changes in land ownership have taken place since 1874 at prices which are very shocking and which have affected the whole redevelopment of Scotland? Will he reconsider the matter?
§ Mr. NobleI realise that there are many people in Scotland who might be interested in the compilation of a report of this sort, but the work to produce it would be colossal and I cannot see that it would meet any useful purpose whatever except interest.
§ Mr. WoodburnIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that he himself is the biggest land owner in Scotland?
§ Mr. RankinIn view of the entirely unsatisfactory nature of the Answer, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter at the earliest opportunity.