After section 6

Part of Protection of Wild Mammals (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3 – in the Scottish Parliament at 5:15 pm on 13 February 2002.

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Photo of Margaret Ewing Margaret Ewing Scottish National Party 5:15, 13 February 2002

As a farm worker's daughter, it is a pleasure to follow a farm worker. I have listened with great interest to most of the debate. I am very concerned about some aspects of what has happened this afternoon.

In the case of compensation, I want to address in particular the issue of tied housing. On my lapel, I am wearing a medal that my father received for 30 years' service as a ploughman. From my experience, I know that if the job goes, the house goes. It is as simple as that. There is no secure tenancy in a tied house.

I ask Karen Gillon to think through the matter very seriously, because her scheme would allow the toffs to put people out from their tied cottages and to turn those cottages into holiday homes or chalets. That would add to the toffs' money, but it would make the former tenants of the cottages homeless—they would have to look for homes. If someone lives in a tied cottage, it is not easy even to get on to a council list. I know that from personal experience. I am proud of the work that my father did, but I will never forget the insecurity of being brought up in a tied house.