Mr. J. J. Davidsonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland the total new acreage of Scotland now being utilised for agricultural production on the recommendation of Scottish war agricultural committees; and the number of recommendations regarding drainage improvements or alterations made by the war agricultural committees?
§ Mr. ColvilleNotifications of intention to plough up over 270,000 acres of old grassland under the subsidy scheme have now been received from farmers in Scotland. Ploughingis still proceeding and it is not yet possible to say what net additional acreage will be under cultivation this year. With regard to the second part of the Question, no reports have been received from agricultural executive committees on this matter and it is perhaps rather early as yet for such reports to have been made as the Act became law on 21st March last.
Mr. DavidsonCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether any of those new 473 acres now being cultivated belonged previously to landowners who refused in the past to have them cultivated?
§ Mr. ColvilleThat is another question.