Highlands and Islands (Land Use) (Hansard, 13 February 1985)

§ 11. Mr. Maclennan
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he is taking to ensure that land in the Highlands and Islands is utilised to the advantage of the local economy.

§ Mr. Allan Stewart
The policies pursued and assistance provided by the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland, the Forestry Commission and the Highlands and Islands Development Board are designed to improve the utilisation of land in the Highlands and Islands and to benefit the local economies.

§ Mr. Maclennan
Will the Minister scrap the Government's proposals to cut the grants under the crofting counties agricultural grants scheme, and will he agree to meet forthwith the chairman of the Crofters Union steering group and withdraw the abrupt refusal to consult about the Government's damaging proposal?

§ Mr. Stewart
If the hon. Gentleman will put down detailed questions about the Crofters Commission, we shall answer them.

§ Mr. Michael Forsyth
Has my hon. Friend had an opportunity to study his Department's report on the Crofters Commission? Is it not high time that we wound up that body and allowed the more efficient use of resources, which the commission is preventing?

§ Mr. Maclennan
On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. The Minister clearly misheard my question. He referred to the Crofters Commission. I asked him about the cut in the grants under the crofting counties agricultural grants scheme—

§ Mr. Speaker
Order. I do not know whether that was so, but we must not have repeats in Question Time. I call Dr. Godman.

§ Dr. Godman
On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. The hon. Member for Stirling (Mr. Forsyth) asked a question that has not been answered.

§ Mr. Speaker
That is what happens when hon. Members intervene between a question and an answer.

§ Mr. Stewart
The answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Stirling (Mr. Forsyth) is that I have noted his comments, but that we have no plans to wind up the Crofters Commission.

§ Dr. Godman
Where there is wasteful under-use of land, is not there a case for intervention to ensure the more rational use of that land by, say, tenant farmers?

§ Mr. Stewart
The Highlands and Islands Development Board has considerable powers to achieve its land use objectives, particularly through advice and offers of financial assistance. Between 1974 and 1983, a total of £26–8 million was provided for the promotion of land development of various kinds in the Highlands and Islands. That created 1,500 jobs and retained 800. I do not believe that extra powers are necessary.