§ 80. Mr. Kirkwoodasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what further measures he proposes to develop the agricultural riches of Scotland in view of the national emergency; and in particular to enable Scottish farms to produce all the milk, eggs, meat, fruit and vegetables which, together with the abundant supplies of fish from Scottish waters, will supply all the food that Scotland needs?
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Scotland (Captain McEwen)As the hon. Member will be aware, the Government have already taken measures for bringing under the plough a large additional 1396 acreage of land in Scotland in order to increase the production of human food and feeding-stuffs for domestic stock. It is too early to estimate the success of these efforts, but the Government are fully alive to the importance of using the natural resources of the land in Scotland in full measure, and they will continue to take any practicable steps to this end. If the hon. Member has any specific suggestions to make on the subject of his question my right hon. Friend will be very happy to consider them.
§ Mr. KirkwoodArising from that reply, may I ask the Under-Secretary of State for Scotland how many acres are now under consideration?
§ Captain McEwenI could not say in respect of this year, but for 1940 it is about 260,000 acres.