§ 87. Mr. W. YOUNGasked the Secretary for Scotland whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction which exists among discharged Scottish soldiers at the failure to implement the promises of a wide scheme of land settlement in Scotland; and if he will at once take steps to allay the prevailing unrest by announcing the details of the Government's policy in this regard?
§ 88. Mr. YOUNGasked the Secretary, for Scotland whether a petition has been received by the Scottish Board of Agriculture through Mr. James Scott, secretary of the Scottish Smallholders' Organisation, Edinburgh, from a number of ex-Service men undergoing training as smallholders at the Grange Farm, Kilmarnock, asking for land on which to settle at the conclusion of their training; whether steps are being taken to provide the necessary land; and, if not, will he explain the object of training these men as smallholders when no facilities for pursuing this avocation are available?
§ Mr. MUNROThe reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The Board are actively engaged in acquiring land for the settlement of discharged soldiers and sailors in Scotland, and the claims of these men to receive holdings will receive full consideration.
§ 89. Mr. YOUNGasked the extent of land acquired for the settlement of ex-Service men under the provisions of the Small Holdings (Colonies) Acts of 1916 and 1918; whether any of the colonies are actually in operation; how many ex-Service men have been settled or are in training; and whether the Scottish Board of Agriculture has any prospect of fully complying with the provisions of the two Acts mentioned?
§ Mr. MUNROThe area already acquired is 4,528 acres. Negotiations for 5,000 additional acres are at an advanced stage. None of the colonies is in actual operation; but of the land acquired the Board have already obtained occupation of 904 acres, 588 additional acres will be occupied at Whit Sunday next, and about 600 acres at Martinmas. The preparation of schemes for training and settlement is far advanced. From the progress already made, the Board hope to be able to acquire during the present year the area of 20,000 acres authorised by the Acts.
§ Mr. YOUNGDoes not the right hon. Gentleman see that these provisions are quite, inadequate to meet the requirements of the country? Is it not a fact that he has been answering these questions more or less in the same terms during the last two years, and when does he propose that some really effective action will be taken?
§ Mr. MUNROIt is not correct to say that I have been answering these questions in the same way for the last two 1915 years. The real difficulty, as my hon. Friend knows as well as I, is that while land is available, and the men are available, hitherto it has been difficult to settle them upon the land because of the absence of the finance to enable them to stock their holdings. I hope that that difficulty will be got over in a Bill which is to be introduced shortly.