Landowners in reform talkswith Scottish Nationalists

24 August 1998

Landowners in reform talks
with Scottish Nationalists

SCOTLANDS landowners have held secret talks with the Scottish Nationalist Party (SNP) over the threat of land reform.

The two sides have apparently reached “common ground” on agriculture, rural development and housing matters, according to the minutes of a meeting organised by the Scottish Landowners Federation (SLF).

The SLFs 4000 members own 80% of Scotland.

Rob Gibson, the SNPs rural affairs spokesmaon, favours compulsory purchase of land for community resources such as housing.

But Mr Gibson said the SNP was not advocating the sequestering of estates. “However, financial incentives and sanctions for the good of communities could be applied.”

• Financial Times 24/08/98 page 4