HC Deb 26 May 1971 vol 818 cc372-3
32. Mr. Strang

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will commission a report on the present ownership of land in Scotland.

Mr. Buchanan-Smith

No Sir.

Mr. Strang

Why not?

Mr. Buchanan-Smith

Because such an undertaking would not be justifiable.

Mr. Robert Hughes

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that his friends, the Scottish lairds, have waxed fat on the land of Scotland for generations and that by his refusal to institute an inquiry into land ownership he is keeping the facts from the people of Scotland? In the interests of honest government, will he institute a survey of land ownership in Scotland?

Mr. Buchanan-Smith

The hon. Gentleman should bear two points in mind. The first is that one of the largest lairds in Scotland is the State. The second is that the answer I have given is the same as that given by his right hon. Friend the Member for Kilmarnock (Mr. Ross) a short time ago.