Eriboll Estate (Sale).

Oral Answers to Questions — Coal Mining Industry. – in the House of Commons am ar 7 Rhagfyr 1926.

Danfonwch hysbysiad imi am ddadleuon fel hyn

Photo of Sir Archibald Sinclair Sir Archibald Sinclair , Caithness and Sutherland

24.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, before the estate of Eriboll was sold, offers were made to the existing holders on the estate to purchase their holdings; and what steps he has taken, or proposes to take, to safeguard them in the possession of their holdings and glazing rights?

Photo of Mr John Gilmour Mr John Gilmour , Glasgow Pollok

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The holders settled by the Board of Agriculture have the protection afforded by the Small Landholders (Scotland) Acts, 1886–1919, and I do not consider that there is any necessity for further action on my part.

Photo of Sir Archibald Sinclair Sir Archibald Sinclair , Caithness and Sutherland

Is it not in accordance with the policy of the Government to offer these holdings to the sitting tenants in the first place when an estate is for sale?

Photo of Mr John Gilmour Mr John Gilmour , Glasgow Pollok

Every case is considered on its merits.

Photo of Sir Lindsay Everard Sir Lindsay Everard , Melton

Would it not be entirely contrary to the policy of the Liberal party that the sitting tenant should have the option of buying the holding?

Photo of Sir Archibald Sinclair Sir Archibald Sinclair , Caithness and Sutherland

25.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland in what respects the conditions under which Eriboll and the sheep stock have been sold differ from those under which they were offered at public auction; and whether any attempt was made to obtain competitive offers on the revised basis accepted by the present purchaser?

Photo of Mr John Gilmour Mr John Gilmour , Glasgow Pollok

The terms of sale to the present purchaser differ from those offered when the estate was exposed for sale by auction in respect that special agreement was made, after negotiation, with regard to various matters, namely. the price of transfer of the five-year-old ewes, the sale of the "Shotts" by the Board, the number of tups to be taken over and the charge on the estate in connection with the transfer of the Church property. As regards the last part of the question, negotiations were entered into with the present purchaser after the auction had proved abortive, and the terms agreed in these negotiations were not made the subject of competitive offers.

Photo of Sir Archibald Sinclair Sir Archibald Sinclair , Caithness and Sutherland

If the whole basis of the transactions was to be revised, surely competitive bids could have been sought from other quarters?

Photo of Mr John Gilmour Mr John Gilmour , Glasgow Pollok

The estate was put up for public auction on two separate occasions.

Photo of Sir Archibald Sinclair Sir Archibald Sinclair , Caithness and Sutherland

It was not put up on the basis of a Martinmas valuation, with permission to reduce largely the sheep stock.

Photo of Mr Neil Maclean Mr Neil Maclean , Glasgow Govan

Is the House to understand that after this estate had been offered for sale and failed to get a bidder the right hon. Gentleman then revised the conditions of sale, and sold it to a private individual without advertising the new conditions?

Photo of Mr John Gilmour Mr John Gilmour , Glasgow Pollok

The facts are that this estate was offered for public auction on two separate occasions, and no bidder came forward. Subsequently a private offer was made, and after being considered on its merits this offer was accepted.

Photo of Sir Archibald Sinclair Sir Archibald Sinclair , Caithness and Sutherland

Surely, if a private offer was made at all, should it not have been made to the smallholders in the first place, for the benefit of whom this estate was acquired?

Photo of Mr John Whitley Mr John Whitley , Halifax

We cannot argue this point now.