Lady Grant:

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he intends to bring forward legislation to incorporate the recommendations of the Taylor Report on Shop Tenancies in Scotland.

As the hon. Member is aware, I am ready to consider the use of requisitioning powers in suitable cases. I can give no undertaking about legislation.

Lady Grant:

Can the Minister ensure that the present system will not lead to excessive delay, in order that the tenants will be aware of their true position in plenty of time?

As the law requires that the tenants should have 40 days notice, much depends on the speed with which the tenants act as to whether they get a decision in good time. The best method of settling all these matters would be for the people concerned to deal with each other fairly and to settle the business by their own normal methods.

What will the Minister do to restore and compensate tenants who may in the meantime be ejected because they are unable to buy their holdings?

That question does not arise.

He will do nothing.

Does the right hon. Gentleman mean by his original reply that we have no hope at all of getting legislation because the present arrangements do not cover very many people?

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the recommendations of the Taylor Report are held in great disfavour by the shopkeepers of Scotland; further, is he aware that the shopkeepers are looking to him for help and think that the requisitioning order will greatly help in this campaign throughout Scotland?