§ 64. Major MACKENZIE WOODasked the Secretary for Scotland how many cases in which farms had been scheduled for the purposes of setting up small holdings the notices have been withdrawn; what area is involved in these notices; and for what reason they have been withdrawn?
Mr. MUNROThe Board of Agriculture have withdrawn notices issued by them under Sub-section (9) of Section 9 of the Land Settlement (Scotland) Act, 1919, in respect of 25 farms, embracing an area of approximately 27,000 acres. In the majority of these cases, this course was rendered necessary because, owing to the rise in prices generally, commitments in respect of other approved schemes had so increased as to render it inexpedient to proceed with the schemes to which the notices in question referred.
§ 65. Major M. WOODasked the Secretary for Scotland whether instructions have been issued to the Small Holdings Commissioners prohibiting them from in specting ground for new schemes of small holdings, and directing that no new schemes entailing settlement of land by Whitsunday, 1921, are to be considered; and, if so, on what grounds these instructions have been issued?
Mr. MUNROThe policy of the Board is to concentrate on the completion of schemes in hand to the exclusion of new proposals which would occupy the time of the staff and which involve additional expenditure. Instructions in this sense have, I understand, been issued to the Small Holdings Commissioners. These, however, may be varied by the Director of Land Settlement at any time as occasion requires and permits.
§ Major WOODAs this is likely to delay the settlement of ex-soldiers on the land, does the right hon. Gentleman not think that some sort of a statement might be made as a guidance to these ex-soldiers, so that they may know whether they are likely to get the land for which they have applied?
Mr. MUNROI am well aware of the critical nature of the situation, and I may tell my hon. and gallant Friend that the whole subject is now under survey by a Cabinet Committee.
66. Dr. MURRAYasked the Secretary for Scotland whether he can state the number of present applicants for small holdings in North Uist and South Uist, respectively; and what progress has been made in meeting these claims?
Mr. MUNROThese applications in North Uist number 147 for new holdings and 223 for enlargements of existing holdings, and in South Uist 204 for new hold- 194 ings and 257 for enlargements. The Board of Agriculture for Scotland are not at present proceeding with any scheme in North Uist, but at Askernish, in South Uist, 11 new holdings and 7 enlargements will, it is hoped, be settled at the closing term of Martinmas.
Dr. MURRAYIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that a large number of these applicants are ex-service men who have been waiting since the Armistice, expecting small holdings to be granted to them, and is he aware of the present discontent and of the possible results during the winter if the small holdings are not granted?
Mr. MUNROI am well aware that a number, if not most, of the applicants are ex-service men. The Government is most anxious to meet their demands. This is a subject which is being discussed by a Cabinet Committee now.
Dr. MURRAYCan the right hon. Gentleman say that the applications in North Uist are not finally abandoned, and that they will come within the ambit of this inquiry?