HC Deb 31 July 1923 vol 167 c1255
32. Lieut.-Colonel A. MURRAY

asked the Under-Secretary to the Scottish Board of Health if he can state the progress that has been made in the direction of obtaining by voluntary returns information as to stocks of sheep and cattle in deer forests?

Captain ELLIOT (Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Health, Scotland)

The returns referred to are being collected by the Board of Agriculture for Scotland in connection with the Annual Agricultural Returns, which are now in course of receipt and tabulation. The results of this tabulation are usually available in September.

Lieut.-Colonel MURRAY

Will the returns be complete?

Captain ELLIOT

As these returns are merely voluntary, I cannot yet state whether they will be complete, but, as the hon. and gallant Member knows, we have a Bill down to make these returns compulsory, and if the hon. and gallant Member could induce the two Members of his own party who have Amendments down for the rejection of this Bill to withdraw those Amendments, we might be able to make sure of him getting these returns complete.