§ 31. Mr. MALCOLM MacMILLANasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction among the crofters of the Scottish Highland counties; and particularly in the Western Isles, with the interest charges for loans made to crofters; and whether he has any proposals for the reduction of these charges?
§ Sir G. COLLINSI presume the hon. Member refers to loans advanced by the Department of Agriculture for Scotland in aid of the provision of housing and the acquisition of acclimatised sheep stocks. In regard to sheep stock loans payment of interest has been waived for the past three years and, as announced in the Press on 2nd November last, no interest will be charged during a further period of five years from Martinmas, 1935. Housing loans are given by the Department on very favourable terms, namely, annuities at the nominal rate of 1¼ per cent. per annum repayable over 50 to 80 years.