61. Major HOPEasked the Secretary for Scotland if he will state how many of the forty-four applicants for new holdings of over 25 acres from the counties of Peebles, Roxburgh, and Selkirk, as shown in the first Report of the Board of Agriculture for Scotland, have on investigation been accepted as qualified and suitable applicants for small holdings
Mr. McKINNON WOODThirty-five-have been reported on as qualified applicants, namely, twenty-four from Roxburgh, eight from Selkirk, and three from Peebles.
62. Major HOPEasked the Secretary for Scotland the number of small holdings constituted in the area at Lindean, Selkirk, which was taken over by the 1749 Board of Agriculture for Scotland at last Whitsunday term day; and how many of these small holdings are now occupied by tenants?
Mr. McKINNON WOODTwelve holdings have been formed at Lindean; seven are already occupied, the rest will be occupied at Martinmas.
Major HOPEMay I ask that in future when a scheme is brought before the Land Courts for the breaking up of farms evidence shall be produced that the land will be at once occupied by small holders?
Major HOPEWhy is it that farms are broken up now and only half the small holdings are occupied by tenants?