§ Mr. T. JOHNSTONasked the Secretary for Scotland if, with a view to diminishing unemployment, he is willing to circularise the local authorities in Scotland who possess water catchment areas, inviting them to prepare such areas for afforestation; and what inducements he is prepared to offer, whether by loans of money at a low rate of interest or otherwise?
§ Mr. ACLANDI have been asked to reply. I refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave to him on the 24th ult. as to local authorities having been notified in the past of the State grants available for afforestation work in relief of unemployment. The Forestry Commissioners believe that free grants are a greater inducement that loans, and as soon as they are authorised to incur expenditure on such grants next season they will circularise the local authorities referred to in the question.