§ Mr. MACPHERSONasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, how many acres of land fit for agricultural purposes have been purchased or otherwise acquired by the Forestry Commissioners in Scotland; how many holders or occupiers have been dispossessed; and whether, in view of the growing disquietude in the minds of those occupying farms or holdings on account of the Forestry Commissioners' activities in acquiring agricultural land for afforestation, it is the intention of the Government to reconsider their policy of land acquisition and to take for afforestation only land which is not in all respects suitable for smallholdings or farms?
§ Mr. W. R. SMITH9,035 acres of land fit for agricultural purposes have been purchased or otherwise acquired by the 1159W Forestry Commissioners in Scotland. This is less than 3 per cent. of the total area of 326,000 acres of land acquired. Eleven holders or occupiers have been dispossessed. By agreement with owners and occupiers the Commission arranged changes in agricultural or grazing tenancies numbering 33 in all, and have formed or are forming 91 forest workers' holdings in their place. On the agricultural land acquired by the Commission 227 forest workers' holdings have been formed and 90 others are being formed. The Department of Agriculture has also utilised some of the land for holdings. As regards the last part of the question, the Commissioners do not afforest land suitable for agricultural cultivation, but utilise it, as already stated, for closer settlement. In so doing they give every consideration to farming tenants.