§ Sir A. SINCLAIRasked the Secretary of State for Scotland, if he is yet able to state how much money will be available for land drainage grants in Scotland during the year 1931; when full particulars of the scheme will be announced; and when application forms will be issued?
Mr. W. ADAMSONSubject to the approval of Parliament there will be made available on the Vote of the Department of Agriculture for Scotland for the year 1931 for field drainage purposes a similar sum to that made available for the year 1930, namely, £29,950. Full particulars of the scheme have now been announced and forms of application issued.
§ Sir A. SINCLAIRasked the Secretary of State for Scotland, whether he will state to what circumstances the delay, which handicaps both the farmers and the tile-manufacturing industry, in pub- 2447W lishing particulars of the land drainage scheme for Scotland is due; and whether, having regard to the fact that the period between the end of January and the middle of April is that within which most of the arable draining is done in many Scottish districts, he will ensure that the particulars of this scheme for each year are in future announced in the preceding autumn or early winter?
Mr. W. ADAMSONI recognise the advantages to agricultural interests in an early pronouncement of the Government's intentions in regard to assistance for schemes of field drainage work: and I regret that the financial situation at the present time has prevented an earlier intimation this year. The particulars have now been issued and every effort will be made to deal with applications as early as possible?