§ Sir W. SUTHERLANDasked the Secretary for Scotland if he is aware that, owing to the high feu duties demanded by many landlords and the conditions imposed in many cases upon intending feuars in the County of Argyll, private house building and industrial development are seriously discouraged; and will the Government give facilities for the passing of a Bill to remedy this state of affairs?
Mr. ADAMSONI am informed that the only case in which attention has been drawn to difficulty in obtaining a feu in Argyllshire was at Strachur where a local builder proposed to erect houses. In that case the Board of Health pointed out to the local authority, through whom the matter was brought to their notice, that the powers to acquire land conferred on the local authority by Section 11 of the Housing, Town Planning, Etc. (Scotland) Act, 1919, include the power of acquiring land (compulsorily if need be) for the purpose of selling, leasing, or felling it with a view to the erection thereon, by persons other than the local authority, of houses for the working classes. In these circumstances, further legislation does not appear to be necessary. I have no information as to the discouragement of industrial developments from the cause suggested.