§ 15. Mr. Macquistenasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether his attention has been called to the drift of population from the isles of Coll, Tiree, Islay, Jura, Gigha, and Mull to the mainland; and what is the estimated loss of population of each of such isles in the last five years?
§ Mr. ElliotI am aware that successive Censuses show a reduction in the permanent population of the islands mentioned in the question. I regret that there are no available statistics on which the estimate requested in the last part of the question could be based.
Viscountess AstorIs the emigration from these islands any greater than the emigration from agricultural districts throughout the world at the present time? Is it not the case that one of the great problems to-day is to get people to stay on the land?
§ Mr. ElliotI think it is a little greater. The islands are outside the area of the Milk Marketing Board.
§ Mr. MacquistenIs not one of the reasons the fact that transport is very expensive?
§ Mr. MathersDoes not the decline in the human population coincide with a rise in the deer population?
§ Mr. ElliotThat does not apply in the small islands of the sea.
Mr. GibsonCan the right hon. Gentleman say why the Island of Iona is not included in the list? Is there any reason for that?