§ Mr. Johnstonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is now in a position to make any statement as to the economic results being attained by the colonies of smallholders recently settled in the Stirlingshire and Dumbartonshire areas?
§ Mr. ColvilleAs the result of inquiries recently made on this subject I am now able to give a general indication of the position.
During the last four years the Department of Agriculture for Scotland have formed nine groups consisting of 151 small holdings in Stirlingshire and Dumbartonshire as part of a general scheme to provide holdings capable of development on intensive lines and, in the main, capable of becoming self-supporting under suitable management. The Department had in view that the possibility of such development being spread over a period of years could not be excluded and that in the initial stages a certain amount of ancillary employment might be necessary as part of the process of development. Keeping these considerations in view and also that the prospects of success are largely dependent on the varying character, experience and resources of the holders concerned, it is gratifying to note that even at this early stage the majority of the holders are already earning a living from their holdings and are making satisfactory progress and that as regards the reminder the Department have reason to believe that save in exceptional cases the holders' efforts will ultimately be attended with a reasonable measure of success.