§ 20. Mr. STEPHENasked the Secretary of State for Scotland the proportion of the amount available for small holdings that was actually spent by his Department in this connection last year and the previous year, respectively?
§ Sir J. GILMOURThe amount spent for the land settlement purposes of the Small Landholders Acts, Small Holding Colonies Acts and Land Settlement (Scotland) Act, 1919, during 1925–26 and 1926–27 was £150,039 and £141,611 respectively.
§ Mr. STEPHENIn view of the widespread demand in Scotland for small holdings, does the right hon. Gentleman not think that it is advisable to spend up to the full figure of his estimate of £175,000?
§ Sir J. GILMOURWe are very nearly doing so, and I would point out that you cannot judge these things by a single year, for it is carried over in a great many cases.
§ Mr. STEPHENIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware there would be a great deal more satisfaction in Scotland if he were overspending his estimate rather than underspending it?