§ 63. Major Sir ARCHIBALD SINCLAIRasked the Secretary for Scotland whether he is yet in a position to announce the Government's decisions on the recommendations of the Scottish Agricultural Conference, and to indicate when a day will be given for discussion?
§ Sir J. GILMOURI regret that I cannot at present add substantially to the reply which I gave to the question put by the hon. and gallant Baronet a fortnight ago. I am not in a position to say whether a day can be given for discussion.
§ Sir A. SINCLAIRSeeing that the farmers of Scotland were asked by the Government to attach great importance to the proceedings of this Conference, seeing that this Conference reported over four months ago, and recommended, in the first instance, that drainage was the first necessity of Scottish land, and seeing that the only action of the Government since has been to cut down the grants 247 hitherto given, will the right hon. Gentleman not undertake to come to a decision before Christmas?
§ Mr. BOOTHBYIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is great dissatisfaction amongst the agricultural community in Scotland at the alleged apathy of the Government, and will my right hon. Friend not give an undertaking to make some pronouncement as to the Government's agricultural policy before the end of the present Session?
§ Sir J. GILMOURI cannot make a promise of that kind. The matter is receiving constant and careful attention, and there is no foundation for the allegation in question.
§ Mr. HARDIEIn view of the urgency of this question, will not the Secretary for Scotland approach the Prime Minister and curtail some of the holiday's of Parliament so as to get on with this business?
§ 66. Sir ALEXANDER SPROTasked the Secretary for Scotland what funds are at the disposal of the Board of Agriculture for Scotland this winter for land drainage grants; and if the Board are having to refuse applications for fresh grants this winter?
§ Sir J. GILMOURThe sum at the disposal of the Board of Agriculture for Scotland for grants under the land drainage unemployment scheme which is in operation this winter is approximately £16,500. Applications for grants are being confined to persons who unsuccessfully applied in the last two years and no fresh applications are being entertained.
§ Sir A. SINCLAIRIs it not a fact that the Government's own Conference, having reported that drainage was the primary need of Scottish agriculture, the only action taken by the Government has been to cut down these grants to one-third?
§ Sir J. GILMOURNo; this provision is a continuance of a temporary provision, and the new policy of the Government will be presently announced.
§ Sir A. SINCLAIRIs not the payment one-third of the provision in the last three years?
§ Mr. BOOTHBYAre large numbers of grants being refused?
§ Sir J. GILMOURNo; the amount available this year under the unemployment scheme is the sum which I have stated, and I have decided that in the first instance only those who had previously put in applications and have been disappointed should be considered.
§ Colonel CLIFTON BROWNAre any extra grants being given for drainage in Scotland? Could not a special rate be levied so that Scotland might drain itself?