§ Sir HARRY HOPEasked the Secretary for Scotland whether he is aware that, owing to the repeal of the Corn Production Acts, offerers for farms in Scotland, with entry at Whitsunday, 1921, have sustained very serious loss in respect that the rents offered by them were made on the faith of the prices of grain being guaranteed for four years at least, and in most cases exceeded the outgoing tenants' rent by from 30 per cent. to 50 per cent.; and is he prepared to introduce a short Bill restoring to tenants the right which they had under the Corn Production Act of 1917 to have the rents payable to them fixed by arbitration?
§ Mr. MUNROI understand that some tenants entering farms at Whitsunday, 1921, offered increases of rent, but I have no confirmation that the increases were as much as from 30 to 50 per cent. in excess of previous rents. The increases in question were not confined to arable farms, and it is not conclusive, therefore, that they were attributable to the provisions of the Agriculture Act, 1920, in relation to the prices of grain. I am afraid I cannot undertake to introduce legislation on the lines suggested by my hon. Friend.