HC Deb 21 March 1950 vol 472 c1736
10. Mr. McKie

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if it is now the intention of the Department of Agriculture for Scotland to convert the farm of Kilfillan on the estate owned by the Department at Dunragit, Wigtownshire, into smallholdings.

Mr. T. Fraser

Yes, Sir. A scheme is under consideration for converting the farm into seven holdings.

Mr. McKie

While thanking the hon. Gentleman for that information, may I ask if it is the intention of his Department to proceed to convert the other farms on this estate into smallholdings as well?

Mr. Fraser

I cannot go beyond that one farm at present. We are not embarking on a wholesale scheme of new holdings, but have selected this particular farm for breaking up into certain smallholdings. I cannot give any assurance about other farms in the estate.

Mr. McKie

Does the conversion of that farm mean the partial admission of the failure of the running of the estate by the Department of Agriculture?

Mr. Fraser

Not at all.