Abolition of Feudal Tenure etc (Scotland) Bill

Part of the debate – in the Scottish Parliament at 5:00 pm on 3 May 2000.

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Photo of Jim Wallace Jim Wallace Liberal Democrat 5:00, 3 May 2000

There has been a wide welcome for the bill. I can accept neither Brian Monteith's nostalgia nor Fergus Ewing's suggestion that the bill is some sort of repackaging of the feudal system. The burdens that have been retained are there for a purpose. For example, we have received many representations about sheltered housing complexes, where common amenities have to be maintained. We have also considered cases of neighbourhood burdens that exist for perfectly good reasons and that may, by dint of one solicitor's conveyancing practice, have been achieved by feudal charter rather than by disposition.

The right balances have been struck. The bill is one part of an overall programme of land reform. A land reform bill will be introduced later this year, which will give us further opportunities to deal with many important issues relating to land and land use in Scotland. It is important to remember what section 1 of the bill says:

"The feudal system of land tenure, that is to say the entire system whereby land is held by a vassal on perpetual tenure from a superior is, on the appointed day, abolished."