§ Mr. KennedyTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what legislative procedures would be involved in a Government Department seeking to remove a specific piece of land from the ownership of the National Trust for Scotland; if such a procedure has been invoked before; and if he will make a statement.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonIf the National Trust for Scotland objects to any party seeking to compulsorily acquire land held in alienably by the National Trust for Scotland, the matter is dealt with through special parliamentary procedures. My right hon. and learned Friend would direct an inquiry to be held under the Private Legislation Procedure (Scotland) Act 1936.
Commisioners appointed under the Act would hold the inquiry at such places as they would determine, hear the various parties and issue their recommendations. If my right hon. and learned Friend is not prepared to accept their recommendations, he can present a Bill for confirmation of the order to Parliament and section 9 of the 1936 Act would apply to such a Bill.
There is no record of this procedure having been used in relation to the National Trust for Scotland.
§ Mr. KennedyTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has any plans to seek legislative means to remove the island of Eilean Dhub from the ownership of the National Trust for Scotland Balmacara estate; and if he will make a statement.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonMy right hon. and learned Friend has no plans to remove the island of Eilean Dhubh from the ownership of the National Trust for Scotland Balmacara estate.