HC Deb 08 November 1955 vol 545 cc1633-5
14. Mr. Woodburn

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether his attention has been called to the success, economically and otherwise, of Mr. Hobbs' experiment in cattle ranching at Fort William; and what steps are being taken to ensure continuance and development in adjoining lands of these improved methods.

Mr. J. Stuart

I am aware that Mr. Hobbs' work has resulted in a considerable increase in production, and he himself has publicly stated that he is now obtaining a good financial return. Grants under the Hill Farming and Livestock Rearing Acts are available to owners and occupiers who wish to carry out improvement schemes on similar land.

Mr. Woodburn

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that Mr. Hobbs himself is a little disturbed as to the possibility of this successful experiment being allowed to lapse? I understand he is of opinion that it should be the duty of the Department to see that what has been achieved here is not lost, and that there is similar ground in the possession of the Department in the vicinity which could be similarly developed. In this way the successful work of Mr. Hobbs would develop and would become more prevalent in the Highlands, instead of fading away when his work comes to an end.

Mr. Stuart

I can assure the right hon. Gentleman that I am in full agreement that similar work should be carried out on as much of the other land as possible. There is the question of the suitability of the land to consider, because winter feed is the great problem which confronts us in this development. Assistance is being given to others under the Hill Farming and Livestock Rearing Acts, and I should be glad to see it extended.

Mr. Woodburn

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this depends on whether initiative comes from other people? Mr. Hobbs has not found many imitators but there is land owned by the Department next door to Mr. Hobbs which, in his opinion, is even more suitable for such development than the land which he recovered from the wild? Will the right hon. Gentleman ask his Department to consider whether this experiment should not be stabilised by a Departmental public development alongside?

Mr. Stuart

I will certainly consider other suitable land, but the Department is operating in various parts of Scotland, as the right hon. Gentleman knows.

Colonel Gomme-Duncan

Is my right hon. Friend aware that, excellent as the work of Mr. Hobbs is, it is by no means the only experiment of this kind in Scotland, and that Lord Lovat in Inverness-shire, Sir William McNair Snadden, Sir James Roberts, and Mr. Stewart in Argyllshire and Perthshire have done exactly the same type of work with equal success?