§ 31. Mr. MORTONasked the Secretary for Scotland whether he can now give particulars of schemes for the extension of small holdings in Sutherlandshire that on the 24th March had been or were about to be settled?
Mr. McKINNON WOODThe schemes referred to were (1) Shegra (parish of 1794 Eddrachillis), where seven holders were granted enlargements extending to 1,280 acres; (2) Skelpick (parish of Farr), where application has been made to the Land Court for an order to constitute five new holdings and forty-nine enlargements on 10,540 acres; and Dalchork (parish of Lairg), which is the subject of a similar application for two enlargements on 149 acres. The two latter cases have been heard by the Court, but a final order has not yet been received.
§ 32. Mr. MORTONasked the Secretary for Scotland whether he can now give any information with regard to the applications for the farm of Achaphris, Shinness, Lairg, Sutherlandshire?
Mr. McKINNON WOODI am not in a position to add anything to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend on 24th March.
§ 33. Mr. MORTONasked the Secretary for Scotland Whether he will endeavour to induce the Board of Agriculture (Scotland) to carry out a scheme whereby the applicants from Durness, Sutherland, may acquire the farm at Balnakiel, Durness, as proposed by a Sub-Commissioner and supported by the Commissioners for Small Holdings?
Mr. McKINNON WOODMy hon. Friend is in error in supposing that the Commissioner for Small Holdings has yet reported finally on the scheme. It is true that it has been under careful consideration, but the compensation involved amounts to a very large sum, and I cannot make any promise at present.