§ 57 and 59. Mr. MACLEANasked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if the proposed scheme for small holdings on the Shiel estate was for ground occupied by the proprietor or by the lessee of the shootings;
(2) the estimated cost of the proposed scheme of establishing small holdings on Glenshiel deer forest; whether the estimate was more costly than other schemes of a similar 1034 nature; and, if so, whether he can state the excess sum?
§ Sir J. GILMOURI am in communication with the Board of Agriculture with regard to the matters referred to in these questions. Perhaps the hon. Member will repeat his questions a few days hence.
§ Mr. MACLEANSince the right hon. Gentleman has already informed the House in reply to a question put to him by me that the cost of this particular scheme was excessive, is he not in a position to name the exact sum now without waiting until a later period?
§ Sir J. GILMOURI must point out to the hon. Member that details of many of these land schemes are of necessity in the Edinburgh office, and it is very inconvenient for hon. Menibers to ask me to answer a question at a single day's notice.
§ Mr. MACLEANIs it not the case that the right hon. Gentleman has been having questions dealing with this matter put to him from day to day, and, since he knew that this particular matter was going to be put to him to-day, had he not ample time in which to get the information quite easily from Scotland. The right hon. Gentleman has answered two questions, and I should like to know what is the reply to my first question, No. 57.
§ Sir J. GILMOURI told the hon. Gentleman that I am in communication with the Board of Agriculture with regard to the matter to which it refers.