§ Mr. J. BROWNasked the Secretary for Scotland whether he is aware that orders have been issued by the Government to the effect that no applications from civilians for small holdings are to be considered meantime; and whether some discretion can be left in the hands of the Board of Agriculture for Scotland in dealing with applications from civilians?
§ Mr. MORISONThe position is not quite as stated by my hon. Friend. Under the Land Settlement (Scotland) Act, 1919, the Board of Agriculture for Scotland are under a statutory obligation "to give a preference in the matter78W of land settlement to suitable persons who have served in the forces of the Crown in the present, or in any previous, War." The applications from this class are so numerous that only a very limited number of civilian cases can be dealt with.