Land Reform Policy Group

This article is part of the Scotland: Portal project of SpinWatch.

The Land Reform Policy Group was established in October 1997 to "identify and assess proposals for land reform in rural Scotland, taking account of their cost, legislative and administrative implications and their likely impact on the social and economic development of rural communities and on the natural heritage". Two consultation papers were issued in February and September 1998 respectively. A final report 'Recommendations for Action' not intended as a consulation paper was published in January 1999.

Core Members

• Lord Sewel Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Agriculture, Environment and Fisheries), Scottish Office - (Chair
• Isabelle Low Head, Land Use Division, Scottish Office - Deputy chair
• Professor John Bryden Arkleton Centre, University of Aberdeen Academic/research
• Lord Murray Elder Special Adviser to the Secretary of State for Scotland
• Alan Fraser Enterprise and Tourism Division, Scottish Office
• Douglas Greig Chief Economist, Agriculture, Environment and Fisheries Department, Scottish Office
• David Henderson-Howat Chief Conservator, Forestry Commission Central government
• Joyce Lugton Civil Law Division, Scottish Office Central government
• Hugh MacDiarmid Solicitor’s Office, Scottish Office
• John Randall Head, Countryside and Natural Heritage Unit, Scottish Office Central government
• Philip Rycroft Head, Agricultural Policy Co-ordination and Rural Development Division,

Scottish Office Central government (until end August 1998) then Jan Polley (from September 1998), Head of Agricultural Policy Co-ordination and Rural Development Division, Scottish Office.