HC Deb 28 July 1931 vol 255 cc2112-3W
Mr. R. W. SMITH

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he can explain why the arrangements for long-term credits to Scottish agriculturists are still not concluded; and whether he can give any definite undertaking as to when these credits will be made available for those for whom they were intended;

(2) whether he is aware that, in connection with the issue of long-term credits to agriculturists, the Scottish Land Securities Company placed their memorandum and articles of association in the hands of the Treasury several months ago but without obtaining any definite statement as to when the Treasury part of the contract will be implemented; whether he will investigate this delay with a view to its being terminated at the earliest possible moment; and whether he is aware that, owing to the delay in bringing the long-term credit arrangements into force in Scotland, the country will lose £12,000, the interest on the £125,000 allocated to it for the purpose?

Mr. W. ADAMSON

The necessary steps for the incorporation of the Agricultural Security Corporation to be set up under the Agricultural Credits (Scotland) Act, 1929, have been and are being taken as expeditiously as possible. As stated in my reply of the 23rd instant to the hon. Member for Kincardine and Western Aberdeenshire (Mr. Scott), the memorandum and articles of association of the corporation have now been approved by the Department of Agriculture for Scotland, and the further stages in the formation of the corporation are being carried out, but I am not yet in a position to say when the corporation will be ready to commence operations. No loss of interest has occurred or will occur owing to the fact that the corporation has not yet been formed, as the advances to be made to the corporation from the Exchequer will be free of interest for a

Year. Caithness. Sutherland.
£ s. d. £ s. d.
1925–26 … Scrabster Harbour … 6 13 4 Scourie Winch 14 17 4
1926–27 … Isbister Boat Shelter … 50 0 0 Nil —
Stroma Pier (Crane) … 17 5 0
1929–30 … Nil — Portskerra Harbour 88 10 0
Lamigo Landing Place 120 0 0
Achreiskill Winch 18 4 6
1930–31 … Isbister Boat Shelter … 75 0 0 Portskerra Harbour 22 2 6
Armadale Pier 349 12 1
The Fishery Board for Scotland have not given any assistance from funds under their control in respect of piers and harbours in Caithness and Sutherland during the period mentioned.