asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will immediately introduce legislation to make it illegal for the rents of farms in Scotland to be raised during the war, and for a period of two years afterwards, so as to prevent the rise in rents which occurred during the last war?

I have received representations from the National Farmers' Union and Chamber of Agriculture of Scotland in favour of regulating farm rents during the war and for a period thereafter and have arranged that the Department of Agriculture for Scotland shall confer on the subject with the interests concerned.

Will the Secretary of State for Scotland answer the Question that is on the Paper, namely, whether he will introduce legislation to make it illegal for rents of farms in Scotland to be raised during the war? I have received no reply to that part of my Question.

Until the Conference of which I have spoken has been held it would be unwise to say.

Only a week ago the Secretary of State for Scotland said he had a conference with the farmers of Scotland and his reply then, as his reply now, was entirely unsatisfactory. I want to ask—

I cannot allow the hon. Member to make a speech.

Owing to the unsatisfactory reply I will raise the matter at the first available opportunity.