§ 24. Mr. SKELTONasked the Secretary for Scotland what sum remains available under the Land Settlement Act, 1919, for the establishment of small holdings in Scotland; what other funds, if any, are annually available for this purpose; and whether he proposes to introduce a Bill to ensure the regular and continuous development of this policy?
§ Sir J. GILMOURWith regard to the first two parts of the question I would refer to the reply given to the hon. and learned Member for Orkney and Shetland (Sir It. Hamilton) on 5th May last, in which I stated that the balance of funds provided under the Land Settle- 1030 ment (Scotland) Act, 1919, available for expenditure in land settlement schemes as at 31st March last, was approximately £79,500, and that this would be augmented by an annual provision within the limits of the Agriculture (Scotland) Fund amounting in the current year to £175,000. With regard to the last part of the question, I think that existing legislation is sufficient meantime to ensure the end desired by the hon. Member.
§ Mr. SKELTONDoes not the right hon. Gentleman propose to introduce legislation to afford the Scottish small holder the same opportunity of purchasing the land as the English small holder will have?
§ Sir J. GILMOURI think the opportunity exists at the present time.