§ Mr. Donald Stewartasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what safeguards exist to ensure that crofters whose land is acquired for housing for defence purposes are paid the appropriate compensation.
§ Mr. William RossUnder existing statutes crofters whose land is resumed are entitled to compensation determined by the Land Court related to the crofting value of the land. Pending new legislation on crofting reform I am ready to supplement this payment, on anex gratia basis, with a payment to crofter tenants on the Secretary of State's estates of a share of any gain accruing from the sale of the land. Under the proposed legislation the amount would be fixed by the Land Court but under the present arrangements the payment is based on an assessment by the Valuation Office of the Inland Revenue.