§ Sir A. SINCLAIRasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is yet in a position to state the result of the local investigation by the Board of Agriculture for Scotland into the demand for small holdings in the district of Clynekirkton, in the parish of Clyne, Sutherland?
§ Sir J. GILMOURThe Board of Agriculture for Scotland are at present considering proposals for meeting the demand of certain applicants in the district to which the hon. and gallant Member refers. I am not yet in a position to state whether a scheme will proceed, but there will be no undue delay in coming to a decision.
§ Sir A. SINCLAIRasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will state what has been the total sum expended by the State on land settlement in Scotland since the Small Landholders (Scotland) Act, 1911, came into force; how much of this sum was expended before 1919; how much since that year; what is the capital value of land and buildings owned by the Board of Agriculture, and of credit advanced by them in connection with land settlement schemes in Scotland; and what is the annual income received from small landholders in respect of rents for land and buildings and interest on credit advanced?
§ Sir J. GILMOURThe gross payments by the State in connection with land settlement in Scotland during the periods referred to by the hon. and gallant Member are as follow:
2664W
£ s. d. From 1st April, 1912, to 31st March, 1919 542,473 12 5 From 1st April, 1919, to 31st March, 1927 3,543,659 14 5 Total since the Small Landholders (Scotland) Act, 1911, came into force 4,086,133 6 10 The capital value (at cost or valuation at date of acquisition) of land and buildings owned by the Board of Agriculture is £845,040, and the total amount of loans advanced in connection with land settlement schemes is £746,491. The annual income payable to the State by smallholders under the heads specified in the question (including sinking fund payments) amounted to £69,137 in 1926–27.