§ 66. Mr. MACPHERSONasked the Secretary for Scotland whether he is aware that over 46,000 acres have been applied for under the new Scottish Land Act in the county of Ross and Cromarty alone; whether any attempt has been made to satisfy the applicants; and whether, in view of the fact that in the other Highland counties the demand is equally great, he will provide at once additional and effective machinery to deal with this demand?
Mr. McKINNON WOODThe answer to the first part of my hon. Friend's question is in the affirmative. The Board of Agriculture is negotiating with a view to making land available on the mainland of the county, while special officers have been instructed to make inquiries in Lewis forthwith. I am advised that there would be no advantage at present in increasing the permanent staff.