HC Deb 26 January 1981 vol 997 cc285-6W
Mr. Skeet

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how much it cost the Government, directly or indirectly, to administer the Crofters Commission for the last year for which figures are available.

Mr. Younger

The costs of administering the Crofters Commission in 1979–80, the last year for which complete figures are available, was £382,212.

Mr. Skeet

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what funds the Crofters Commission has distributed to the crofting community in excess of grants paid by the Department of Agriculture.

Mr. Younger

The only funds the commission distributes are from private donations made to it for the benefit of crofters and from a forestry development fund financed in past years from amounts accruing from the sale of common grazings for afforestation. The disbursement of these moneys is a matter for the commission.

Mr. Skeet

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the total of grants made available by the Department of Agriculture to the Crofters Commission.

Mr. Younger

The Crofters Commission, acting as my agent, is responsible for the administration of the Crofting Counties Agricultural Grants (Scotland) Scheme 1972, but the crofters are paid directly from my Department. Expenditure in 1979–80 on claims approved by the commission was £721,933.

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