§ 10. Mr. Alasdair Mackenzieasked the Secretary of State for Scotland, in view of the number of sheep killed on unfenced roads in the Highlands due to increasing numbers of tourist cars, if he will introduce a special grant to help occupiers of those hill grazings to erect suitable fences.
§ Mr. WillisFencing is at present eligible for grant under the farm improvement and crofting grant schemes. In addition, Clause 39 of the Agriculture Bill provides for grants for improvements for the benefit of hill land, and it is intended that fencing should be one of the improvements eligible for 50 per cent. grant under this scheme. I see no need for any further special grant.
§ Mr. MackenzieI realise that there are large stretches of hill country where there is no stock, but there are special areas where there is a density of stock. Is not the result that there has been tremendous slaughter of young stock at this time of the year? Do not these special cases deserve special treatment?
§ Mr. WillisThe hon. Gentleman will find that in the conditions that he has just mentioned occupiers would be eligible for a grant under one of the schemes that I have mentioned.
§ Mr. NobleWhile I accept the forms of grant to which the hon. Gentleman has referred, may I ask him whether it would not be worth while for the Scottish Office to make a study for a year of both the number of sheep killed and the number of accidents caused by sheep? Might there not be a real point in having an extra grant where it was proved necessary?
§ Mr. WillisWe could, of course, look at that.
§ Mr. ManuelWill my hon. Friend recognise that if a 50 per cent. grant is to be authorised for fencing along side roads, many of which have passing places, it should be laid down that the fence should be removed a certain distance from the road to allow for off-road parking and other amenities at present enjoyed by tourists travelling in the Highlands?