§ Sir M. Galpernasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many smallholdings are under his control; what is the practice in letting smallholdings when they fall vacant; and what is the highest current rent obtained per acre.
§ Mr. RossExcluding 1,819 crofts, I am responsible for 1,927 smallholdings of 237W which 55 are in the Highlands and 1,872 in the rest of Scotland. If a smallholding is not to be amalgamated with another holding but is to be re-let offers of rent from prospective tenants are publicly invited. Out of the highest ten or 12 offerers a selection is made of the applicant thought to be most suitable in terms of experience and ability, who is then accepted at the rent he has offered which may well not be the highest offer. The highest current rent being obtained is £30 per acre for a six acre highly specialised fruit growing holding equipped with house, store and packing shed.
§ Sir M. Galpernasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many smallholdings under his control are let to non-farming tenants who occupy the house only and sub-let the rest of the land; and what steps he proposes to take to ensure that smallholdings are only let to tenants who personally farm them.
§ Mr. RossI have no knowledge of any smallholdings for which I am responsible having been let to non-farming tenants, though there may be tenants who over the years have ceased to make serious agricultural use of their holdings. I have no evidence to confirm that land in such cases is sub-let, a practice which would be in breach of the conditions of leases. When selecting a tenant for a smallholding he is assessed essentially on the basis of his agricultural experience and ability and the soundness of his proposals for farming the holding.