38 REPORT OF THE SCOTTISH COMMISSION 



be necessary, he then makes application through the Committee 

 for State aid. Should they be satisfied with the applicant, and 

 that the holding is sufficiently equipped with suitable buildings 

 and stock, which they shall do by personal inspection, the applicant 

 will be entitled to receive in cash, as a loan frotn the State, nine- 

 tenths of the lendable value (the purchase price) of the property. 

 This sum is secured to the State by mortgage on the property, 

 including buildings, stock, etc., and bears interest at the rate of 

 3 per cent, per annum. During the first five years of the loan no 

 repayment of capital need be made ; after that period two-fifths of 

 the loan shall be repaid in yearly instalments of 4 per cent., which 

 also includes the interest on the loan ; and when the two fifths have 

 been paid up, the remainder (three-fifths) shall be paid in yearly 

 instalments at the rate of 4 per cent. A holder may, however, 

 repay a larger amount of the capital in any year, provided that such 

 repayment be not less than £2, 15s. 7d. (50 K.). No one may 

 receive a loan from the State in connexion with more than one 

 holding, and anyone who has transferred his property acquired 

 under the Act to another person, shall not be entitled to make 

 another application. 



So long as the loan from the State has not been reduced to 

 half of the original lendable value of the property, no other mort- 

 gage can be raised upon it, nor can distress be levied upon the 

 holding, stock, etc., on account of the personal debt of the owner, 

 or debt incurred by others on his behalf, without the previous con- 

 sent of the Minister of Agriculture. 



The allotments must be wrought as agricultural subjects, and 

 nmst always have the necessary buildings and stock upon them. 

 In order to ascertain that this regulation is being complied with, 

 the Connnittee must make inspections at least once every three 

 years. In the event of it being found that the holding is not being 

 worked in conformity with the requirements of the Act, or that the 

 buildings and stock are deteriorating, the Committee shall insist 

 on the owner rectifying matters. The proprietor must also at all 

 times keep the buildings, stock, etc., fully insured. 



No part of the property is allowed to be sub-divided, or ex- 

 changed with other lands, until the loan to the Government has 

 been repaid, unless with the express consent of the Minister of 

 Agriculture, who shall be guided in this matter by the Parish 

 Council. As a rule he will only give his consent to the sub- 

 division or exchange when it is desirable for the better working of 

 the farm, or when ground is required for the public benefit, such 

 as the building of houses in a village, and the erection of schools 

 or public halls. 



Again, a peasant, whose holding does not amount to the 

 maximum acreage as stated by the Act, may be desirous of acquir- 

 ing more land, and this he is allowed to do, provided the whole 

 does not exceed the statutory limit. In like manner consent to 

 exchange may be given. 



The proprietor may, if he wish, sell the property, provided 

 that the purchaser fulfils the qualifications and conditions under the 



