§ 36. Mr. WATTasked the right hon. Gentleman what action the Commissioner for Small Holdings has taken in Tiree, Argyllshire, in the way of providing small holdings for the peasants there; can he say whether the farm of Greenhill has been divided into sixteen holdings, what is the size of each holding, and does it in the opinion of the Board of Agriculture afford means for the holder of making a living thereby; has the Commissioner viewed the farm of Heylipal; and does he propose to take any action with regard to that farm, in view of the facts that the lease expires in May, 1914, and that the land lies conveniently to the applicants?
Mr. McKINNON WOODThe Land Court have heard applications from the Board of Agriculture for Orders for the constitution of twenty-six new holdings and eleven enlargements on the farms of Baugh, Greenhill, and Balephetrish; by arrangement with the proprietor, six enlargements will be formed on the farm of Balinoe, and the Board propose to apply forthwith to the Land Court for an Order for the constitution of thirty-six new holdings and four enlargements on the farm of Heynish; on the farm of Greenhill it is proposed to form 13 new holdings and three enlargements, the former extending from five to eight acres with shares in the common pasture; these holdings will provide subsidiary employment for the new holders, who have other occupations; the farm of Heylipool has been inspected, but the Board have not yet decided whether to press for the constitution of new holdings upon it.
§ 37. Mr. JAMES HOGGEasked the right hon. Gentleman whether his attention has been called to the comparative failure of the Small Landholders (Scotland) Act to attract applications for holdings from the ploughmen of the Lowland Scottish counties; whether he is aware that the failure is largely due to the method of administration of the Act, to the lack of capital for the stocking of holdings, and to a doubt existing among ploughmen as to whether small holdings worked on an isolated basis would prove profitable; and whether, in view of these facts, the Scottish Department of Agriculture will take steps to popularise the Act by a more enlightened administration in the direction of the establishment of a system of land banks and co-operation and the introduction of the latest methods of intensive cultivation?
Mr. McKINNON WOODIt would be impossible to deal with the criticisms and suggestions contained in my hon. Friend's question within the limits of question and answer. They cover a wide range, and there will be an opportunity for discussing them on the Scottish Estimates.