§ Mr. Leslieasked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) whether he is aware that the Department of Agriculture for Scotland recommends that deer forests and grouse moorsshould be freed for the grazing of cattle and sheep; and what area has been scheduled by the war executive committees for this purpose;
(2) whether he has considered a communication from the Lochaber Crofters Union protesting against the abandonment of over 3,000,000 acres of arable and pasture land in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland to the feeding of deer and grouse, and calling upon the Government to use its statutory powers to acquire land for the purpose of augmenting the nation's food supply in the present national emergency; and what reply has been given?
§ Mr. ColvilleI have advised agricultural executive committees in the Highland counties as to the procedure they should adopt in securing suitable land on deer forests and grouse moors for the grazing of cattle and sheep. The matter is engaging the attention of committees, and directions for the use of deer forests as grazings can be issued in cases where an amicable arrangement proves impracticable. So far one application for consent to the issue of such directions has been approved. I do not appear to have received the communication from the Lochaber Crofters' Union to which the hon. Member refers.