§ 13. Mr. Emrys Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland his estimate of the number of young able farmers who are unable to acquire land for farming in Scotland.
§ Mr. SnaddenThere is no statistical information available on which an estimate could be based: but my right hon. Friend is aware, of course, that the demand for vacant farms to rent is high.
§ Mr. HughesAre we to assume that the hon. Gentleman made his speech about the number of young able farmers without any statistical evidence before him? Is he aware that a number of large estates in the North of Scotland could be usefully divided up to employ some of these young able farmers?
§ Mr. SnaddenI have said in reply to the first part of the Question that we are aware of the general demand for farms, but we have no detailed statistical information to give us the specific number.
§ Colonel Gomme-DuncanWould my hon. Friend agree that one of the main reasons for these keen young men not being able to get farms is due to the fixity of tenure which came about as a result of Socialist legislation for security of tenure?
§ Mr. WoodburnWill the hon. Gentleman convey another warning to some people in Scotland who are not making the best use of the land they are farming and inform them that if they do not do so there are plenty of powers—in spite of what the hon. and gallant Gentleman says—lying with the Government to see that they are removed from their farms and more efficient farmers put in their place?
§ Mr. SnaddenThat was the whole point of the speech to which the hon. Gentleman referred, to remove what I would call chronically inefficient farmers to make room for younger men who are able to farm efficiently.