HC Deb 12 February 1931 vol 248 cc609-10W
Viscountess ASTOR

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many of the tenants originally put on to smallholdings under the Acts of 1906 and 1919, respectively, are still in occupation or have left to acquire larger holdings or have died?

Mr. W. ADAMSON

New holdings have been provided in Scotland under the Congested Districts (Scotland) Act, 1897, Small Landholders (Scotland) Act, 1911, Smallholding Colonies Acts, 1916–1918, Sailors and Soldiers (Gifts for Land Settlement) Act, 1916, and Land Settlement (Scotland) Act, 1919, on private estates and on properties acquired by the Department of Agriculture for Scotland. Statistics regarding the changes of tenancy on smallholdings formed on private estates are not available. On estates acquired by the Department of Agriculture for Scotland 1,627 new holdings were formed; and of the new holders originally settled 1,194 remain in occupation, 50 have removed to take larger holdings or farms, and 45 have died.

Viscountess ASTOR

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many acres have been acquired by purchase and by hire, respectively, for small holdings; and the number of separate holdings in each county in Scotland?

Mr. ADAMSON

The statistics desired will be found:

  1. (a) for the period ended 31st March, 1912, in the 14th report of the Congested Districts Board for Scotland (Part V) and
  2. (b) for the period 1st April, 1912, to 31st December, 1929, in Appendices 2 and 3 of the 18th report of the Depart-of Agriculture for Scotland.

NOTES:

  1. (i) The operations of the Congested Districts Board were confined by statute to the seven Highland counties of Scotland. In the course of their statutory duties the board acquired 84,500 acres of land for settlement and provided 388 new 610 holdings and enlarged the existing holdings of 397 crofters. In addition the Board assisted in the provision of 252 new holdings and in the enlargement of the holdings of 741 crofters on the estates of private owners.
  2. (ii) Statistics for the period 1st April, 1912, to 31st December, 1930, will appear in the report of the Department of Agriculture for the year ended 31st December, 1930, which will be presented to Parliament as soon as possible.