60. Major WOOD(for Mr. SCOTT) asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, what is the average rate at which land for afforestation purposes has been acquired in Scotland during the past year; whether the feuing rate of land previously used as grazing land is fixed at the actual market value as for grazing purposes; and, if more than such value has been paid, whether he will state the grounds on which such value has been exceeded?
§ Mr. W. R. SMITHThe Forestry Commissioners during the past year acquired land for afforestation purposes in Scotland at the average rate of approximately £2 10s. per plantable acre. Feus are fixed by negotiation. In the case of grazing land the Commissioners keep carefully in view the market value for grazing purposes and do not pay greater prices unless some well-defined advantage is thereby secured.