§ Mr. Wattasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how much money has been paid out in grants for amalgamation schemes absorbing farms into larger units in Scotland in the last five years.
§ Mr. Hugh D. BrownIn the five years ended 31st March 1976, £1.76 million was paid to outgoers in annuities and lump sums and £4.36 million was paid to amalgamators by way of grants for improvements and acreage grants.
§ Mr. Wattasked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what is the average acreage of the farms which have been absorbed into larger units in each of the last five years;
(2) how many farms have been absorbed into larger units in each of the last five years.
§ Mr. Hugh D. BrownThe average acreage and number of farms for which outgoers grant was payable and which were absorbed in amalgamations approved in each of the last five years were:
Year ending 31st March 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 Average acreage 105 84 103 111 109 Number of farms 302 243 145 184 146