HL Deb 17 March 1909 vol 1 cc469-70
THE EARL OF CAMPERDOWN

My Lords, I rise to move for the correspondence which has passed between Lady Cathcart and the Secretary for Scotland and the Congested Districts Board, with reference to the Island of Vatersay since December 31, 1907. Your Lordships may recollect that last session I moved for and obtained the correspondence which had taken place between Lady Cathcart and the Scottish Office with regard to raid upon Vatersay, and that afterwards there was a discussion in this House on the subject. Since July last there have been further correspondence and further negotiations between Lady Cathcart and the Scottish Office, which have terminated in the purchase of Vatersay. Therefore, of course, there are further documents which I think it would be of interest to your Lordships—it certainly would be of interest to me—to be possessed of officially. I beg to move.

Moved, That there be laid before the House correspondence which has passed between Lady Cathcart and the Secretary for Scotland and the Congested Districts Board, with reference to the Island of Vatersay since December 31, 1907.—(The Earl of Camperdown.)

THE SECRETARY FOR SCOTLAND (LORD PENTLAND OF LYTH)

My Lords, I think it is well, in speaking of the transactions that have taken place since December 31, 1907, to distinguish between the proceedings which led to the purchase by the Government of the farm and those proceedings which relate to the executive duty now thrown on the Congested Dis- tricts Board of settling tenants upon the farm. In regard to the first, I shall be very happy to lay Papers, and they are almost ready to go to the printer. In regard to the second part—that is to say, the preparation and carrying out of the scheme for settling tenants on the farm—that transaction is, of course, not completed, and I think it would be well to defer laying any Papers on that subject until the transaction is completed. That is the course which, on behalf of His Majesty's Government, I propose to follow in this case.

THE EARL OF CAMPERDOWN

I am quite content.

On Question, Motion agreed to, and ordered accordingly.