§ Mr. M. MacMillanasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he can state the price paid by the latest purchaser of the 44W lands of South Uist, Benbecula and Eriskay; and if he will give an assurance that acquisition of land by the Scottish Department for small-holding settlement of local men now on service in the Armed Forces and Merchant Navy will continue as well as grazing land for livestock of the Department and that all such land acquired will be taken over at 1939 valuation.
Mr. JohnstonAs no disposition relating to the sale of these lands recently announced in the Press has been recorded in the Register of Sasines, I have no information as to the price paid. I am informed that all but one of the agricultural subjects are already small holdings. On the general question of land settlement I have, as my hon. Friend will be aware, appointed a Committee to investigate and report on land settlement in Scotland. Until its report has been received and examined, I could not make any statement on post-war policy. But there is no intention at present to discontinue the grazing of livestock by the Department of Agriculture on grazings attached to vacant small holdings and on lands taken over under the Defence Regulations. With regard to the application of the principle of 1939 values I would ask my hon. Friend to await legislation already announced.