Dr. MURRAYasked the Secretary for Scotland whether applications for small holdings have reached his office or the Board of Agriculture for Scotland from residents in Kyles-Stockinish, in Harris; and as there is plenty of suitable land in the island for small holdings, whether he will cause the Board of Agriculture to do their utmost to have these claims for land complied with as soon as possible?
§ Mr. MUNROThe reply to the first part, of the question is in the affirmative. The applications are at present being made the subject of inquiry by the Board of Agriculture for Scotland.
Dr. MURRAYasked the Secretary for Scotland whether the Scottish Office or the Board of Agriculture for Scotland have recently received renewed applications from discharged service men and others resident in North Tolsta, in the Island of Lewis, for small holdings on the farm of Gress; whether the Board of Agriculture had already approved of Gress farm as suitable for small holdings in response to previous applications made by residents in Back and Tolsta; whether the Board, through their officers or otherwise, gave the applicants to understand that the new holdings would be granted as soon as war conditions permitted; and whether the Board proposes to take immediate steps to have this scheme put in operation?
§ Mr. MUNROThe reply to the first two parts of the question is in the affirmative. The position is that the Board in July, 1914, applied to the Land Court for a compulsory order authorising them to constitute holdings on the farm. In consequence of the War, the Court, on the Board's subsequent application, decided to defer proceedings in the matter. The question of reviving proceedings is at present engaging my attention, in consultation with the Board and with the new proprietor of the Lews. I understand that some of the applicants for Gress were informed in December last that the position is being reconsidered, but no promise of new holdings has been made.