§ 25. Mr. LEONARDasked the hon. And gallant Member for Rye, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, what were the prices paid for ewes and lambs, eild ewes, ewe hoggs, and rams by the Forestry Commission when taking over the farm at Blairmore, Argyle; what prices were got in these respective classes when the sheep were sold; and what was the total loss incurred on the sheep stock?
§ Colonel Sir GEORGE COURTHOPE (Forestry Commissioner)The prices paid were as follow;
- Ewes and Lambs at£5 11s. each (28 at£3 14s. each);
- Eild Ewes at£3 12s. each;
- Ewe Hoggs at£3 15s. each (4 at£2 10s. each);
- Rams at£16,£10 and£8 each.
§ When part of the stock came to be sold in the open market the prices realised for the ewes ranged from 28s. to 20s., and for the lambs from 25s. to 12s. 6d. At Whitsunday, 1932. the farm was re-let and the prices fixed by a mutual Valuator were as follows:
- Ewes and Lambs at 52s. each (10 at 38s. each);
- Eild ewes at 34s. each;
- Ewe Hoggs at 35s. each (11 at 23s. each);
- Earns at£6 10s.,£5,£3 and£l 10s. each.
§ The Forestry Commission have no further liability in connection with this stock.
§ The total approximate loss is£2,130.
§ Mr. LEONARDWill the hon. and gallant Gentleman instruct the Forestry Commission to purchase no more sheep farms while deer land is being used for sport in Scotland?
§ Sir J. DUNCAN MILLARIs the hon. and gallant Gentleman prepared to make any representations through the Forestry Commission in regard to the present unfair methods of valuation adopted in connection with sheep stock in Scotland based upon inflated acclimatisation values, which create serious injustice and injury to the industry?
§ Sir G. COURTHOPEThe Forestry Commission find the practice of adding an undisclosed acclimatisation value to the market value of the sheep stock very inconvenient and a frequent cause of hardship and loss to the Crown and others.
§ Mr. MACQUISTENWhen the Forestry Commission push a man out of his farm, is it not satisfactory that he should be given some compensation?
§ Sir G. COURTHOPESir, they do not.