§ 61. Mr. KIRKWOODasked the hon. and gallant Member for Rye, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, what area of land formerly used for agricultural purposes in Scotland has been acquired by the Forestry Commission: what amount thereof has been planted, remains in hand to be planted, or is unsuitable for planting, respectively; what area remains under tenants and what area is stocked and farmed direct by the Commission; what is the number of sheep stock held by the Commission and the number of servants employed in connection with farming operations; what is the fall in value of such sheep stock during the last 12 months of accounting; whether losses incurred on farming transactions are debited to the fund set apart for planting operations; and under what statutory powers do the Forestry Commission engage in agriculture?
§ Colonel Sir GEORGE COURTHOPE (Forestry Commissioner)As the answer contains a number of figures, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Following is the answer:
§ The total area acquired by the Forestry Commission in Scotland at 30th September last was 376,792 acres, of which 174,611 were plantable. Deer forests accounted for 174,258 acres, of which 62,379 were plantable. The balance (202,534 acres, including 112,232 plantable acres), with the exception of sand dunes, has been used for grazing and for sylvi-cultural purposes. Of the 202,534 acres, 43,471 have been planted, 68,761 remain to be planted, and 90,302—mainly hill tops at high elevations—are unsuitable for planting. An area of 130,218 acres remains under tenants, and 28,845 acres are stocked and farmed by the Commission. The number of sheep stock held by the Commission at 30th September, 1932, was 10,636. The number of servants employed in connection with farming operations was 22. The value of the stocks in the Commission's hands at 30th September last was estimated to be £420 less than that of stocks in hand at 30th September, 1931. Losses incurred on farming transactions are borne by the Forestry Fund. The. Commission engage in agriculture only where necessary and under the powers conferred on them by the. Forestry Act of 1919.
§ 62. Mr. KIRKWOODasked the hon. and gallant Member for Rye, as representing the Forestry Commissioners. what area of land occupied by small landholders in the County of Argyll has been acquired by the Forestry Commission; what area of such lands is included in planting schemes; what is the number of landholders thereon; and under what authority the Commission is empowered to acquire and hold lands let to small landholders?
§ Sir G. COURTHOPEThe area of land acquired for purposes in connection with afforestation by the Forestry Commission in Argyllshire in the occupation of small landholders is approximately 1,770 acres. No part of this area is included in planting schemes. The number of small landholders thereon is 23. On other parts of the Commission's properties in Argyllshire the Commission have settled 83 812 forest worker holders. The Commissioners' powers are derived from the Forestry Act, 1919, Section 2 (3) (a).