§ 15. Mr. Sillarsasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received from political parties about the question of land ownership and the registration of land holdings.
§ Mr. SillarsIs my hon. Friend aware that the Labour Party at its conference at Aberdeen had a certain opinion on these matters? Does he recall the brilliant retort of the Secretary of State to the SNP slogan on oil that it is "Scotland's soil"? Can he ask our right hon. Friend how he can be so sure of his facts without a register of land holdings?
§ Mr. EwingAs my hon. Friend knows, I was present at the Labour Party Conference and I am very much aware of what it decided. We wait with interest to see what submission we receive from the Scottish Council of the Labour Party following that conference, and no doubt the Secretary of State will be able to explain the quotation he used during the debate.
§ Mr. MacCormickDoes the hon. Gentleman appreciate that one aspect of 448 land ownership which could be reformed quickly is crofting and crofting tenure?
§ Mr. EwingThat is an entirely different question, as the hon. Member will appreciate. He should put down a Question to that effect if he wants an answer to it.