45. Mr. J. J. Davidsonasked the Prime Minister whether he will set up a Royal Commission to investigate and make recommendations for the maximum agricultural development of land in Scotland now lying dormant and unproductive?
§ The Prime Minister (Mr. Chamberlain)The Government are already providing 384 assistance designed to increase the productivity of agricultural land, and I do not think that any useful purpose would be served by setting up a Royal Commission to inquire into lands now uncultivated. I would remind the hon. Member that any steps to bring unproductive land into cultivation must have regard to the probable cost of the foodstuffs which; it could produce.
Mr. DavidsonIs the Prime Minister aware that in the last answer on this subject from the Secretary of State for Scotland, the information given was to the effect that no progress was being made with regard to agricultural produce in Scotland; and, in view of the fact that many agricultural experts agree that there is land unused there, which could be used for productive purposes, will he not at least set up some kind of inquiry, in the interests of the nation's food supply?
§ The Prime MinisterI do not think I can add anything to the answer which I have already given.
§ Mr. EmmottCannot the Scottish people be relied upon to extract the utmost possible advantage from the land that Providence has bestowed upon them?
§ Mr. MathersIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a huge and growing area in Scotland devoted to deer forests and that not only is that land itself barren, but the existence and increasing numbers of the deer, cause other land, bordering upon it, to be devastated from an agricultural point of view?
§ Mr. GallacherIs the Prime Minister aware that much of Scotland can be classified as a depressed area and will he not, therefore, make a special effort in this respect?