§ Mr. MACQUISTENasked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that E. MacVicar, a fishermen in Ardrishaig, has rented from the Ministry a small patch of ground whereon to erect a shed as a curing station paying 10s. a year for the privilege of occupying the ground, or£3 for the total period of 20 years, for which the use of it has been granted to him; that the law costs for a formal lease imposed upon him in connection with the granting to him of the use of the said piece of ground amount to over£7 sterling; arid whether he will find a less costly way of granting facilities for the 222W use of subjects of small extent and value?
§ Colonel ASHLEYI am aware of the case to which my hon. and learned Friend refers. The rent was£2 a year and not les. as he states, but I agree that the legal costs were high in relation to the rent. A formal lease was, however, necessary, and the costs, in the circumstances, were, I am afraid, unavoidable.