Sir, – Your letter writer of 'Time Land Reform came good for tenants', The Scottish Farmer March 11, implied that land reform was held back by successive tenant farmers leaders being 'bought off' when they were offered the right to buy as sitting tenants.

While this might be difficult to prove as deals are common practice and have been long before there were tenant farmer leaders, or land reform bills, those who have never been given this chance might well think that there is a grain of truth somewhere in the idea.

The current leaders certainly seem to have lost the impetus for advancing the cause in the up-coming Land Reform Bill. An absolute right to buy may be out of reach, but there are other ways to the same end.

Every secure tenant knows the tenancy has a value and farming lenders, if any of the above allegations are true, will know by now what that is in relation to the open market value of land. It should be their responsibility to see that all secure tenants, irrespective of age, or details of eligible successors, be able to realise this value, either as a sitting tenant purchase or in compensation for retiral.

This will need a complete revisal of the present, formal relinquishment and assignation procedure, which is clearly not fit for this purpose.

If tenant farmers leaders wish to retain the support of all their member, then they should take immediate note and remember why most joined such an organisation in the first place.

James Grant, Meams Farm, Kirriemuir, Angus.