§ 56. Mr. KIRKWOODasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that the deer forest of Borve, in Harris, is in the market for sale, and that the proprietor has offered it for sale to the Government for smallholdings; and whether, in view of the demand for smallholdings in Harris, he will take immediate steps to acquire this property and unite the settlements at Luskintyre with a new settlement at Borve?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for SCOTLAND (Mr. Skelton)The question of the acquisition of Borve has been the subject of discussion between officers of the Department of Agriculture for Scotland and the proprietor, but the matter has not reached a stage at which I can make any statement as to the possibility of the property being acquired for land settlement purposes.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODIs the Minister in a position to tell us when he will be in a position to make a reply?
§ Mr. SKELTONNo, Sir. I am not even in that position.
§ Sir N. GRATTAN-DOYLEIs the hon. Member aware that deer forests are totally useless for smallholdings?
§ Mr. KIRKWOODArising out of the original reply, may I ask the Minister if he is aware that the only section of the community in the Highlands of Scotland that has increased in population since this Government came in are the gamekeepers? That question is out of their own report.
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat does not arise out of the question on the Order Paper.
§ 57. Mr. KIRKWOODasked the Sectary of State for Scotland how many deer forests or sporting estates have been acquired for the settlement of smallholders in Scotland; where they are situated; and what is the acreage concerned?
§ Mr. SKELTONAs the answer contains a number of figures, I propose, with the hon. Member's permission, to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Following is the answer:
§ The Department of Agriculture for Scotland have acquired one deer forest, 1788 Luskentyre in Harris, extending to 5,400 acres, and nine properties comprising pastoral subjects which have a considerable sporting value in addition to their agricultural value. The latter are:
| County. | Estate. | Area. Acres. | ||
| Argyll | … | Sunart | … | 33,700 |
| Inverness | … | Bracadale | … | 56,734 |
| Kilbride | … | 9,731 | ||
| Raasay | … | 18,000 | ||
| Balranald | … | 2,737 | ||
| Newton | … | 13,912 | ||
| Sutherland | … | Armadale | … | 39,950 |
| Borgie | … | 4,427 | ||
| Keoldale | … | 30,030 |
§ Note.—The above particulars do not include properties acquired by the Congested Districts Board or private properties of similar character on which holdings have also been made available