HC Deb 08 July 1970 vol 803 cc658-60
23. Mr. Maclennan

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will take steps to abolish feu duties in Scotland.

Mr. Gordon Campbell

Yes, Sir. We have made our intentions clear on this in Parliament and outside. The abolition must be part of a major reform of the system of land tenure.

Mr. Maclennan

Can the right hon. Gentleman say why legislation on this matter was not included in the Gracious Speech and why legislative proposals will not be put before the House in this current Session of Parliament? While welcoming the Government's overall commitment, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he can give this matter the expeditious treatment it deserves?

Mr. Campbell

Major work has to be done. Nothing was done about this matter by the last Government. The recent conveyancing Act simply altered the methods of collecting feu duty, thereby implying that feu duty would continue for some time to come.

Sir J. Gilmour

Since so many feu duties are held by the Church of Scotland and other charitable institutions, will my right hon. Friend ensure that fair compensation is given when they are abandoned?

Mr. Campbell

This is a very complex matter, and decisions must be taken about the terms of redemption. They will be very difficult and complicated decisions. It must be a matter of fairness between all concerned. The right hon. Member for Kilmarnock (Mr. Ross) stated an intention to do something, but, as far as I know, there was no Bill on this major matter waiting to be introduced.

Mr. Ross

I think that the right hon. Gentleman has changed his tune. He has just said that as far as he knew no Bill was waiting to be introduced. Before that he said that no work had been done. I assure the right hon. Gentleman that his knowledge of this matter is very limited indeed. A great deal of work had been done by us and we were well on the way to producing a Bill. During discussions, the right hon. Gentleman gave us the impression that this was a simple matter. He has now discovered that it is very complex. When will he produce the Bill which he promised when he was in opposition?

Mr. Campbell

In good time, when the necessary work has been done. I have never said that this was a simple matter. I have always said that it was complex. What I criticise the right hon. Gentleman and his hon. Friends for is stating an intention in a White Paper but doing nothing about the major work and the decisions which had to be made to implement it.

Mr. Maclennan

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. In view of the utterly misleading nature of the right hon. Gentleman's remarks, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment at the earliest possible moment.