Marginal Agricultural Schemes

HC Deb 02 December 1958 vol 596 cc115-6W

110. Sir D. Robertson

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how much of the cost of existing marginal agricultural schemes in Scotland is incurred in the Crofter counties.

Mr. Maclay

In 1957 4,700 claims for marginal agricultural assistance were paid in the Crofter counties at a total cost of£415,000 which is almost exactly one-third of the total expenditure on these Schemes in Scotland.

111. Sir D. Robertson

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will state the number and total acreage of the farms and holdings in Caithness and Sutherland which will be excluded from marginal agricultural production grants under the Small Farmers Bill, the number and total acreage which will not be excluded, the number and total acreage which could be assisted, and the total amount of money involved in each of the three groups.

Mr. Maclay

I am not at the moment able to make a reliable estimate of the effect of the Government's proposal on individual counties.