28. Mr. McKieasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how much of the 83,000 acres owned by the Forestry Commission in the Stewartry of Kirkcudbright has been planted; and what sheep stock there is on the non-planted area.
§ Mr. T. FraserA total of 18,664 acres are planted. The sheep stock on the un-planted land, as shown in the Agricultural Returns for June, 1949, was approximately 15,500 ewes and 18,500 others.
Mr. McKieMay I ask the Joint Under-Secretary of State whether he is aware that there has been a decrease in the sheep population in this county of about 70,000 in the last 10 years and that that is due quite largely to this very large planting of trees? Is he aware of the necessity of holding a balance between afforestation and sheep production?
§ Mr. FraserThat is exactly what we are doing. The fall in sheep stock is not due, in fact, to the acreage which has been planted and, as the hon. Member will know, the cattle population in the same area has increased quite considerably.