HC Deb 30 June 1938 vol 337 cc2121-2
71. Mr. Malcolm MacMillan

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he is taking to protect the land of the Department of Agriculture's holders at Eoligarry, and the land of other communities, in the island of Barra, from encroaching sand which is rendering the land useless?

The Under-Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. Wedderburn)

The protection of land of this nature is a matter that is constantly under review by the Department of Agriculture in respect of estates owned by them. The prevention of sand-blow is the normal duty of the tenants of machair land, but the Department have in exceptional cases undertaken the repair of damage of an abnormal character by various means, such as planting of trees and bent grasses. Such action will continue to be taken when occasion arises at Eoligarry, and elsewhere in the Western Islands, on land owned by the Department.

Mr. MacMillan

On a point of Order. I really could not hear a single word that the Minister said and I should be obliged if he could give the reply again.