§ Sir A. SINCLAIRasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether 838W schemes of land drainage form part of the plans prepared by the Commissioner for special areas in Scotland; whether the Commissioner has proposed to make use of the Land Drainage Act in connection with those schemes; and whether he intends to introduce legislation to prevent the Act from lapsing next April?
§ Sir G. COLLINSThe answer to the first two parts of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the last part, a Bill is to-day being introduced to continue for a further period the powers of the Department of Agriculture for Scotland under the Land Drainage (Scotland) Act, 1930.
§ Sir A. SINCLAIRasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is yet in a position to announce the terms of the drainage grant, 1935–36; and whether he will at the same time announce a scheme for promoting the destruction of bracken?
§ Sir G. COLLINSThe terms on which grants for the assistance of agricultural drainage in Scotland will be made in 1935–36 are set out in the scheme recently published by the Department of Agriculture for Scotland, of which I am sending a copy to the hon. and gallant Baronet. The terms are identical with those of last year's scheme. As regards the last part of the question, I would refer to the reply given on 12th March to the Noble Lady the Member for Kinross and West Perth (Duchess of Atholl) of which I am also sending him a copy.