§ 23. Captain WARINGasked the Secretary for Scotland whether he is aware that a suitable applicant, on communicating with the Board of Agriculture with reference to the holding of Off Knowhead, in the county of Banff, was informed that his application would be entertained if he applied for it as a small holding; that he consequently made such an application and the Board refused to entertain it; and whether he will state the reason, if any, the Board gave for such a refusal?
The SECRETARY for SCOTLAND (Mr. McKinnon Wood)The Board promised the applicant in question to make inquiries if he made application for the holding, and upon his doing so the inquiries showed that the land was not available under the Small Landholders Act. The land had already been given 178 by the estate authorities to a neighbouring small holder as an enlargement.
§ 24. Captain WARINGasked how many applications, under the Small Landholders (Scotland) Act, 1911, have been received by the Board of Agriculture for Scotland from the county of Banff for the enlargement of existing holdings, for the establishment of new holdings, and for loans or Grants for buildings or other improvements; whether the applications have been. considered; and what steps are being taken for their satisfaction?
Mr. McKINNON WOODFifteen applications for new holdings and eight for enlargements have been received. Most of the applicants have been interviewed, and schemes are in preparation providing for several applicants, but difficulty has been experienced in securing suitable and available land. One application for a loan for buildings from an existing holder is under consideration by the Board of Agriculture.
§ 26. Mr. MORTONasked the Secretary for Scotland whether he can induce the Scottish Board of Agriculture to do something to get the Scriberscross land, Bogart, Sutherland, for the extension of small holdings; and whether lie is aware that practically not an acre of land has yet been got for the people of Sutherland under the Small Landholders Act, 1911?
Mr. McKINNON WOODSciberscross farm has been considered by the Board, and they determined to delay action in it until some compensation cases are settled by arbitration. In reply to the second part of the question, I may say that one scheme for seven holders has been settled by agreement, and two schemes are before the Land Court which should provide for about fifty-six people in the county of Sutherland.
§ Mr. MORTONWill the right hon. Gentleman tell me where this land is that he speaks of having been got by agreement?
§ Mr. MORTONI will put down another question.