§ 39. Mr. MATHERSasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware of the recommendations of two Royal Commissions that deer forests in Scotland should be restored to more useful purposes; whether he has any information as to the continued increase of deer and of the damage they cause to lands and growing crops in the Highlands; and whether the Government have any intention of restoring the land under deer to useful purposes.
§ Sir G. COLLINSI am aware of the recommendations on this subject of the Deer Forests Committee and the Game and Heather Burning Committee to which the hon. Member no doubt refers. I have received evidence that the number of deer in some parts of the Highlands has increased with resultant damage to agricultural crops. This question is at present under discussion with representatives of the interests concerned.
§ Mr. MATHERSIs it the right hon. Gentleman's intention to take any steps to prevent Scotland developing into a wilderness for the entertainment of the people who go there in August and September?
§ Sir G. COLLINSThere is no evidence to justify the statement made by the hon. Member.
§ Mr. HENDERSON STEWARTWhat has happened to the Bill dealing with damage done by deer which was on the 218 stocks many years ago and has frequently been referred to since?
§ Sir G. COLLINSCommunications are presently taking place between the interests concerned. This is a complicated matter, but I can assure my hon. Friend that the interests concerned are in close touch with us on the subject.
§ Mr. M. MacMILLANis the right hon. Gentleman not aware of complaint that much arable land is at present classed as deer forest; and does he not agree that if the deer were not encouraged in the Highland area for the sport and pleasure of visitors and tenants who do not cultivate good land, much of the land is good enough at least for sheep and that the deer could be destroyed as a pest and the land put into use?
Viscountess ASTORIs it not true that some people who own forests have tried their best to raise sheep—and other vegetables I was going to say—and have found it absolutely impossible?
§ Sir G. COLLINSIn reply to the question of the hon. Member for the Western Isles (Mr. M. MacMillan), my information is that the amount of land occupied by deer is not increasing.
§ Sir ARCHIBALD SINCLAIRAs the right hon. Gentleman has given the same answer about consultation with the interests concerned every year for the last three years, and as these depredations always start in October and November, can he give us an assurance now that this short Bill will be introduced and passed into law before the House rises in July, otherwise it will be too late to do anything this year?
§ Sir G. COLLINSAs the right hon. Gentleman is, no doubt, aware, this problem has baffled the Scottish Office for the last 15 years, and I am sure he is also aware that it is not through lack of trying that it has not been settled up to now.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODDoes that mean that when the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Caithness and Sutherland (Sir A. Sinclair) was Secretary of State for Scotland.
§ Mr. SPEAKERMr. Malcolm MacMillan.