§ 41. Major McKENZIE WOODasked the Secretary for Scotland the total acreage of deer-forest land in each of the Highland counties acquired compulsorily for small holdings under the Land Settlement (Scotland) Act, 1919?
Mr. ADAMSONNo deer forest land has been acquired compulsorily by the Board of Agriculture for Scotland for the formation of small holdings, but about 13,000 acres formerly used as deer forests have been made available for purposes of land settlement by agreement.
§ Major WOODIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Committee on Deer Forests recently reported that there is a large quantity of land suitable for small holdings, and will he explain why none of that land has been made available?
Mr. ADAMSONThe answer to the next question will explain that. It simply amounts to this, that it costs too much money.
§ Major WOODIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that that great cost is largely due to the provision in the Act of 1919 in regard to fencing, and will he take steps to amend the law with respect to fencing, and so make the land available?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONAre we to understand that it is the intention of the present Government not to put into effect any of the recommendations in the Report of the Committee on Deer Forests, and is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this Committee was+ composed of men of all parties?
§ Mr. NEIL MACLEANDo the 13,000 acres which have been acquired represent the extent to which the Government are prepared to go, and is not that a very unlucky number?
Mr. ADAMSONMy right hon. Friend the Member for Ross and Cromarty (Mr. Macpherson) is not to take it that the present Government are not prepared to put any of the recommendations of the Deer Forests Committee into operation.