§ 19. Captain McEWENasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is 1733 aware of the position of smallholders in East Lothian as a result of the milk marketing scheme; that they have intimated to the Department of Agriculture that they are unable to pay their rent owing to the incidence of the levy: and what action he now proposes to take in the matter?
§ Sir G. COLLINSYes, Sir. The position of small landholders under the scheme is referred to in the complaints by the East of Scotland Milk Producers Federation which have been remitted to the Committee of Investigation for Scotland for consideration and report in accordance with the Act of 1931. On receiving the Committee's report, I will consider what action should be taken with regard to these complaints.
§ Captain McEWENIs the right hon. Gentleman aware—I do not think he is—that there is an instance in East Lothian of a smallholder who is able to show that the levy is going to equal four times the amount of his net rent?
§ Sir G. COLLINSI have had such information conveyed to me on this point, but, as the whole matter is referred to this committee, my hands are tied until I have received their report.