HC Deb 18 March 1952 vol 497 cc2092-3
42. Lord Malcolm Douglas-Hamilton

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress he has to report towards a comprehensive drainage scheme for the improvement of agricultural land in Scotland.

Mr. J. Stuart

The financial and other arrangements required for carrying out land drainage work in Scotland present very considerable difficulties and will involve legislation. I hope to be able to have discussions shortly with the local authorities and other interests concerned.

Lord Malcolm Douglas-Hamilton

Is my right hon. Friend aware that in view of the food shortage at home and the urgent need for us to obtain all the home produced food we can, foreigners travelling up to Inverness by train are at a loss to understand why we are not making better use of the thousands of acres of the Spey Valley?

Mr. Stuart

Yes, Sir. I have that in mind. I know the area to which my noble Friend refers.