HC Deb 26 July 1938 vol 338 c2900
71. Mr. R. Gibson

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland over how many of the 439,252 acres of land held by the Department of Agriculture for Scotland sporting facilities are let to third parties; what safeguards are provided to protect agricultural tenants thereon against depredations and / or the results of depredations by game; and whether, in particular, such tenants are accorded the right to destroy deer found on their land doing damage there?

Mr. Colville

Sporting facilities over 421,685 acres owned by the Department of Agriculture for Scotland are let to third parties. The interest of the Department's agricultural tenants in regard to destruction of game and compensation for damage are protected by the Ground Game Act, the Agricultural Holdings Act. and the Small Landholders (Scotland) Act. With regard to the last part of the question, where deemed necessary and practicable the rights to destroy deer on their holdings have been conferred upon tenants on the Department's estates.

Mr. Gibson

To what extent has the power last referred to by the right hon. Gentleman been made operative?

Mr. Colville

I could not give the acreage.