§ 31. Mr. MATHERSasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many acres of land were acquired for land settlement by the Department of Agriculture for Scotland in each of the counties of Inverness and Argyll during 1934 and 1935; how many small landholders have been settled thereon; how many applicants are on the list for holdings in each of these two counties; and how many had applied for holdings prior to 1931?
§ Sir G. COLLINSNo new properties were acquired for land settlement in the counties of Inverness and Argyll during 1934 and 1935. During those years 47 holders were provided with holdings in Inverness-shire and 12 in Argyllshire, either on lands previously acquired and in process of development or on vacated holdings. At 31st December, 1935, 958 applications for new holdings were outstanding in Inverness-shire and 492 in Argyllshire: the corresponding figures at 31st December, 1930, were 836 and 485.
§ Mr. MATHERSIn view of the right hon. Gentleman's statement to me some time ago that Scotland was not becoming a wilderness will he take the opportunity that is presented by these figures of rescuing Scotland from that position?
§ Sir G. COLLINSYes, we have the matter under consideration. More new holders were settled last year than in any year for many years past.
§ 32. Mr. MATHERSasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many acres of land which previously formed part of deer forests in each of the counties of Inverness and Argyll have been utilised for the settlement of small landholders since 1933; and whether he will take steps to remedy the present position whereby 234 large areas of land in the Highlands suitable for farming remain under deer and game to the exclusion of men able and willing to work the land and pay rent for it?
§ Sir G. COLLINSSince 1933 approximately 13,600 acres of land which previously formed part of deer forests in the county of Inverness have been utilised for the settlement of smallholders; no such lands in the county of Argyll have been so utilised. As regards the second part of the question, the hon. Member is no doubt aware that the utilisation of deer forests to the best advantage is a vexed and complicated question, and I am not prepared to admit that any extensive action could usefully be taken by the Government on the lines indicated in the question. I shall be glad, however, to examine on its merits any specific proposal which the hon. Member cares to bring to my notice.
§ Mr. MATHERSCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether the amount of land devoted to farming purposes is greater or less than that which was divorced from farming and reverted to deer forest?
§ Sir G. COLLINSI have not that information in my possession, but if the hon. Member cares to put a question on the subject I will endeavour to answer.
Viscountess ASTORIs it not the case that on a great deal of the land devoted to deer forests you can hardly keep a deer, let alone anything else?
§ Mr. BARRIn view of the intervention of the Noble Lady, will the Minister bear in mind that according to the Brand Commission in 1895 there were 1,782,785 acres of land presently devoted to deer forest that was available for the extension of smallholdings?