§ Mr. HARMSWORTHasked the Secretary to the Treasury, if he will state the number of applications received by the Department of Woods and Forests for small holdings upon their recently acquired estate of Scotscalder, Caithness; 1173W the area of the land on the estate suitable for such small holdings; broadly, the proposed acreage of each small holding; and when the Department will be in a position to proceed with the creation of small holdings?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEThe number of applications received was 154, of which three were subsequently withdrawn. Provided that satisfactory financial arrangements can be made, it is proposed to take in hand and divide into small holdings at Whitsuntide next (the earliest date at which possession can be obtained) about 582 acres of arable and 836 acres of pasture, etc., comprising practically all the land suitable for the purpose. The size of each holding will probably be from 40 to 50 acres of arable land with a suitable area of hill pasture. The preparation of the necessary preliminary surveys and report for the division of the farms is already in progress.