§ 4. Mr. LEONARDasked the Secretary of State for Scotland, whether the whole area of 420 acres at Barns of Claverhouse 947 has been irrevocably gifted to the nation for land settlement purposes; what area has been allocated for smallholdings and what area is reserved for plot-holders; what is the estimated cost to the nation for development of the smallholdings area and the plot-holders area, respectively; what is the total return payable by the respective classes of holders; if a return for land is included, what is the respective amount; and what security of tenure are the respective holders to have?
§ Sir G. COLLINSSubject to the completion of the necessary legal formalities the gift will be irrevocable by the donor. It is anticipated that the areas referred to in the second part of the question will be approximately 200 acres in each case. On this basis the cost of developing the property is provisionally estimated to be in the region of £13,000, of which £12,000 relates to the smallholdings. These numbers and costs are given with great reserve. As regards the remaining parts, details of the scheme are being worked out by the Department. The terms of tenancy will be the same as those in operation in other recent settlements of similar character, namely, for equipped holdings seven year leases under the Agricultural Holdings Acts and for plot-holders yearly agreements.
§ 12. Lieut.-Colonel MOOREasked the Secretary of State for Scotland, if moneys voted under the Land Settlement (Scotland) Bill are available for women as well as for men?
§ Sir G. COLLINSThe Department of Agriculture for Scotland will be prepared to consider, on their merits, applications for small holdings from women who have the necessary experience and capital.