§ 44. Mr. MOLTENOasked the Secretary for Scotland whether the land for the colony of 2,000 acres has been acquired; and, if not, what the cause is of the prolonged delay?
§ The SECRETARY for SCOTLAND (Mr. Munro)Further attempts have been made to acquire land for this purpose, but no suitable land has yet been found which is not subject to leases having years to run. This has prevented advantage being taken of the powers under the Act, which, as my hon. Friend is aware, are purely permissive. As I have previously stated in this House, legislation would be necessary to make the Act effective in Scotland. Meanwhile progress has been made in other directions for providing small holdings for discharged soldiers and sailors. With the generous co-operation of the Duke of Sutherland, 4,200 acres are being prepared for this purpose at Borgie, Sutherland-shire, while 8,000 acres on the same property will be utilised for afforestation, which will also give employment for discharged men; 16,000 acres at Shinness, Sutherlandshire, have also been made available for the like purpose, and a scheme has been prepared. Holdings are also being constituted on the Crown Estate of Dounreay, Caithness, with the co-operation of the Commissioners of Woods and Forests.
§ Mr. HOGGEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that all the places he has mentioned are hundreds of miles from anywhere in Scotland; and will he, in view of the fact that there are 3,750,000 acres of land in Scotland laid down for sport, make an attempt himself to find 2,000 acres, instead of asking other people to do so?
§ Mr. MUNROIf the hon. Member had listened carefully to the answer I gave he would know that I did endeavour personally to find land suitable for the purpose; but it has not been found possible to do so, except in certain places, I should be sorry to describe those places as hundreds of miles from anywhere.