Mr. WEDDERBURNasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether his attention has been called to the case of Mr. John Stirling, of Rashinlea farm, in Inchinnan, sub-tenant of a farm recently purchased by the Board of Agriculture; whether he is aware that Mr. Stirling has been given 14 days' notice to quit, which is to take effect on 28th November, and that this notice is inadequate for the disposal of the stock; and whether 525W he will issue an order postponing the eviction of this man for six months, so as to give him time to sell off his stock and re-establish himself?
§ Sir A. SINCLAIRThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The estate was purchased by the Department of Agriculture as at the term of Martinmas, 1931, and the sellers undertook to give vacant possession of the farms at that term in consideration of the price agreed. The Department has no responsibility with respect to the removal of tenants or sub-tenants, but I understand that the sellers obtained decree of ejectment against the principal tenant covering all lands or buildings occupied by servants or sub-tenants. I am further informed that Mr. Stirling wrote to the Department as long ago as 23rd June stating that he had been warned out for 28th November. Yet it was only this week that representations reached me on behalf of Mr. Stirling, who is not the tenant of the Department and to whom it has no obligations. Arrangements had already been entered into for the accommodation, from 28th instant, of a man who is to clear the land for the Department, and of his family, and I do not feel justified in going back upon these obligations.