§ 12. Mr. Crouchasked the Secretary of State for Scotland the acreage of peat bog in Scotland.
§ Mr. J. StuartThe Geological Survey estimate is 1,625,000 acres, with at least two feet depth.
§ Mr. CrouchIs my right hon. Friend aware of the possibility of developing food production from these bogs by the use of the proper quantity of fertilisers and herbage seeds, and that this is the largest single unit we now have to rely upon for expansion? Has he, or have his representatives, seen the wonderful work done on the Birkhall Bog in Lancashire by Dr. Smith?
§ Mr. StuartYes. The answer to the second part of my hon. Friend's question is that we are aware of this work. There is, as my hon. Friend no doubt knows, a Scottish Peat Committee under the very able chairmanship of Sir Edward Apple-ton. That Committee estimates that perhaps rather less than a half of this bog is suitable for fuel purposes, and less for agricultural reclamation. There are, I would remind him, Government grants for the occupiers who decide to improve the land by the use of drainage, liming and fertilisers.