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Now
that at last we have our own Parliament in Scotland again, we finally have the
opportunity to debate in our own Parliament the policies which are right for
Scotland, and to legislate for Scotland's needs.
Land reform is a good example. We have long needed, and can now achieve, radical change. It is crucial for rural Scotland. That is why a central element of the Partnership for Scotland document of the Scottish Executive is our commitment to legislate on the proposals of the Land Reform Policy Group.
These proposals have been the result of an unprecedented level of consultation over the past 2 years. The breadth and depth of that consultation means that we can be confident that the solutions proposed are the right ones. It is clear that there is now a powerful consensus about what needs to change and about what the priorities are.
Key parts of our overall land reform agenda will be early legislation to give community bodies the right to buy land as and when it comes to be sold; and also legislation to create a right of responsible access to land.
This White Paper sets out in practical detail how all of this will work. In the light of comments received, we shall then develop the proposals into a draft Bill on which we shall consult further.
Our approach is at once both radical and deliverable. This has been clearly recognised on all sides. I am therefore confident that its terms will be widely welcomed throughout rural Scotland.
Jim Wallace
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