HC Deb 15 May 1952 vol 500 cc163-4W
Mr. John MacLeod

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how much land is owned by the Department of Agriculture; how much of that land is leased to tenants; and how much farmed by his Department, respectively.

Mr. J. Stuart

The Department of Agriculture are responsible for the management of some 790,000 acres of land. 674,000 acres are let to tenants and 116,000 acres are farmed by the Department.

Mr. I. Fraser

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many crofts there are in Scotland and how many agricultural holdings under 50 acres; how many over 50 acres and under 100 acres; how many over 100 acres and under 300 acres; how many over 300 acres; and what is the total acreage in each category.

Mr. J. Stuart

Following is a statement showing the numbers and acreages of agricultural holdings in Scotland in the specified size groups:

Size Group Number Acreage
Above 1 and not exceeding 50 acres 50,196 663,452
Above 50 and not exceeding 100 acres 9,984 737,195
Above 100 and not exceeding 300 acres 12,266 2,050,076
Above 300 acres 2,160 943,183

The figures relate to acreage of crops and grasses excluding rought grazings. The number of crofts included in the first size group is estimated to be about 20,000.