§ Mr. LEONARDasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that 1203W grants to landholders for houses and steadings in Skye and the Western Isles seldom exceed £100 to £150, and that in districts south of the Forth and Tay grants amounting to £350 and over are frequently made for houses and steadings; and will he give the reason calling for such differences?
§ Sir A. SINCLAIRAssistance to landholders for houses and steadings is given by way of loan. It is accordingly in the interests of the borrower to confine the loan to the least sum which will provide the necessary buildings with such assist-1204W ance as the borrower is able to supply by his own labour or from his own resources. It is not possible to compare the typical croft in the Islands with a small holding intended for intensive cultivation in the Lowlands where the house and steading cost more, the exact amount varying with the situation and type of the holding. Generally such buildings cannot be erected by the holder himself, and it is necessary to employ a contractor. The consequent burden on the Lowland holding is appropriate to that type of holding as is the lesser burden to the Island type.