§ 26. Mr. Grimondasked the Secretary of State for Scotland why he authorised the issue of a Press notice stating that the period for heather burning was to be extended.
§ Mr. Niall MacphersonWeather conditions had given little opportunity of burning during the normal period, and after consultation with the interested organisations my right hon. Friend decided to extend the period. A Press notice intimating this extension was issued in accordance with the requirement of section 23 (3) of the Hill Farming Act, 1946.
§ Mr. GrimondWould not the Minister agree that it is important that this Press statement should have been widely published? Is he satisfied that this was done? As I understand, the extension applies to the whole of Scotland. It has important effects on the agreement between landlords and tenants, and many people are unaware of it.
§ Mr. MacphersonEvery effort was made to obtain the fullest publication. The Press notice was distributed to all agricultural papers, all dailies and all weeklies, including the "Shetland Times, "the" Shetland News, "the" Orkney Herald "and the "Orcadian."