§ 39. Mr. P. WHITEasked the Secretary for Scotland how much money has been advanced in each of the last four years for the purpose of creating small holdings in Scotland, the area acquired, the number of holdings established, and the unexpended balance in hand at the end of last year?
Mr. McKINNON WOODThe Board of Agriculture for Scotland has been in existence only three years, and in each of these years £200,000 was advanced to them for the purposes of the Small Landholders Acts, 1886–1911, which include the creation of small holdings, and also include the general service of agriculture in Scotland. In the year 1911–12, £35,000 was advanced to the Congested Districts Board for Scotland for similar purposes in the congested districts of Scotland. Up to 31st March of this year, 451 new holdings and 243 enlargements had been constituted on approximately 50,000 acres, and several hundred more are in course of being constituted. The balance on the Agriculture (Scotland) Fund at 31st March of this year 1833 was approximately £450,000, but my hon. Friend will understand that part of this is earmarked for existing schemes and other agricultural purposes.