HC Deb 09 May 1950 vol 475 cc172-3
6. Mr. McKie

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the acreage of land owned by the Forestry Commission in the Stewartry of Kirkcudbright on 1st July, 1939, and 1st July, 1949, respectively.

Mr. McNeil

The figures are 33,531 acres and 83,075 acres respectively.

Mr. McKie

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the corresponding period there has been a drop of 70,000 in the sheep population of the county? Is he further aware that this cannot be attributed to the blizzard in 1947 because that part of Scotland came off very lightly at that time? Will he bear in mind the necessity for keeping a proper balance between afforestation and sheep farming?

Mr. McNeil

Of course, I will certainly give that assurance, but the hon. Gentleman must recognise that in the same period not only has the sheep population improved compared with the previous year, but that over the comparable period the dairy population has also increased.