§ 11. Major Anstruther-Grayasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that lack of adequate bus services is making it impossible to retain 1134 the manpower necessary to maintain full agricultural production in many parts of Scotland; and what steps he proposes to take.
§ Mr. N. MacphersonI am aware that rural localities are not all equally well served but I have no evidence that lack of bus transport is having a serious effect on agricultural manpower.
§ Major Anstruther-GrayIs it not clear to my hon. Friend, from representations made by Members of Parliament and also by the N.F.U. and other bodies, that this problem of bus transport goes right to the root of contentment in the hill areas, and in view of that will not the Government consider the possibility of making a subsidy available in approved areas?
§ Mr. MacphersonI am sure that my right hon. Friend will be prepared to consider any means of dealing with this problem of which we are aware, but we have no evidence that it is having an effect on agricultural manpower. If my hon. Friend will bring any evidence of that to my attention, I shall gladly look into it.