asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether negotiations have yet been concluded for the purchase of a site for an establishment of a fruit research station in the neighbourhood of Dundee.

Negotiations towards this end are still proceeding.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that some weeks ago his Under-Secretary of State, speaking to the Clyde Scottish Fruitgrowers' Research Association in Clydeside, stated that a compulsory order had already been made?

I am told by my hon. Friend that that was an inaccurate report.

Will not the negotiations for this research station near Dundee be held up through haggling over the price of first-class arable land?

The hon. and gallant Gentleman can be certain that we shall be prepared to pay a fair price.