§ 13. Mr. MACLEANasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if the proposed scheme for small holdings on the Shiel estate was for ground occupied by the proprietor or leased to the tenant of the shootings?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for SCOTLAND (Sir John Gilmour)The land comprised in the scheme which was pro jetted is in the occupation of the proprietor, but I understand that, while retaining the grazings, he has let the shootings. These shootings, I may add, are amongst those referred to in my answer to the hon. Member's question of 14th May, as being occupied by the proprietor. I was not then aware that they were let.
§ Mr. MACLEANWill the right hon. Gentleman now inform me of the name of the individual who has rented the shooting and which was asked for a fortnight ago?
§ Sir J. GILMOURI understand that it is Colonel Hardcastle.
§ Mr. MACLEANCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether the shootings were rented by Colonel Hardcastle after the applications for small holdings on this piece of ground had been received by the Board of Agriculture?
§ Sir J. GILMOURI cannot answer that question without notice.
§ Mr. MACLEANWill the right hon. Gentleman try and find out?
§ Sir J. GILMOURI do not know that it will have any bearing on the matter.
§ Mr. MACLEANHas it no bearing on the matter that these men have been applying for small holdings for 11 years?
§ Mr. SPEAKERPerhaps the hon. Member will put the question on the Paper.
§ Mr. MACLEANMr. Speaker, it has been down on the Paper for the last three weeks.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODThe right hon. Gentleman is hiding behind you.
§ 14. Mr. MACLEANasked the Secretary of State for Scotland the estimated cost of the proposed scheme of establishing small holdings in Glenshiel deer forest; whether the estimate was more costly than other schemes of a similar nature; and, if so, whether he can state the excess sum?
§ Sir J. GILMOURNo, Sir, it is not expedient that I should state the estimated cost of a scheme of land settlement which I do not propose to carry into execution; I am satisfied, however, that it would be unduly costly. Certain peculiarities attach themselves to a scheme in this area which make it impossible to offer a comparison with any other scheme carried into effect by the Board of Agriculture.
§ Mr. MACLEANIs it not proper for these claims to be submitted to this House, as we have to vote the money 1666 to be spent on these matters, and should not this House be the determining body as to whether a scheme is going to be expensive or not?
§ Sir J. GILMOURNo, Sir. The responsibility for the present scheme rests with the Minister in charge of the Department.
§ Mr. MACLEANThen are we to take it that it is your veto with regard to this particular matter which has stopped the small holdings that are now required?
§ Sir J. GILMOURIn so far as this particular scheme is concerned, certainly.
§ 62. Sir R. THOMASasked the Minister of Agriculture the number of applications for small holdings in Wales and Monmouthshire every year since 1st January, 1919; the number granted; the number who were granted holdings and subsequently surrendered them; and the number who still await holdings?
§ The MINISTER of AGRICULTURE (Mr. Guinness)As the reply contains a number of figures and is necessarily long, I propose, with the hon. Baronet's permission, to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Following is the reply:
§ The total number of applications for small holdings received annually by county councils and county borough councils in Wales and Monmouthshire under the Land Settlement Scheme for ex-service men, which terminated on the 31st March, 1926, is as follows:
| Year. | No. of applications received. |
| 1919 | 2,889 |
| 1920 | 3,266 |
| 1921 | 511 |
| 1922 | 365 |
| 1923 | 308 |
| 1924 | 178 |
| 1925 31s and three months to t March, 1926 | 273 |
| 7,790 |
§ Of these 7,790 applicants, 1,719 were provided with holdings, of whom 303 had vacated prior to the 31st March, 1926. At that date 1,140 approved applicants were awaiting holdings and there were 634 applicants whose cases were being further investigated, a total of 1,774.
1667§ Returns recently received as to applications for small holdings and cottage holdings under the Small Holdings and Allotments Act, 1926, show that the above-mentioned councils had 1,562 applicants on their lists at the 31st December, 1927, of whom 1,242 were applicants who had applied for holdings under the Land Settlement Scheme for ex-service men and were still regarded as effective when the new Act came into operation. Of the 1,562 applicants previously referred to, 46 have been provided with holdings either on the councils' existing estates or on new land acquired under the Act of 1926. At the 31st December, 1927, 593 approved applicants were awaiting holdings, and there were 681 applicants whose cases were being further investigated.