HC Deb 22 April 1970 vol 800 c420
39. Mrs. Ewing

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will take steps to limit the number of acres which any one person can own in Scotland.

Mr. Buchan

No, Sir.

Mrs. Ewing

Is it in accordance with Labour Party principles that a person should be able to own 200,000 acres of Scotland and more, and put most of it to almost no use? Where is there a sense of justice, efficiency and responsibility in this intolerable situation?

Mr. Buchan

I am sure that this will be repeated by many of my hon. Friends and, perhaps, more pithily expressed. We have established in the Highlands area the Highlands and Islands Development Board, and measures are open to us. Also, in our proposals for feudal reform, developments which have been held back in the past by feudal superiors will be made possible by submission to the Lands Tribunal.

Mr. William Hamilton

Will my hon. Friend say how many private landowners support the S.N.P?