§ Mr. R. Gibsonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he has taken with a view to placing sheep in large numbers, and Highland cattle, on suitable parts of deer forests in Scotland as a Government scheme; and whether he will also put pigs, enclosed in folds, on bracken-infested land in deer forests for the purpose of eating the bracken, including the underground stems and roots, and so bringing the land under control for arable purposes, as is being done successfully in Devon?
§ Mr. E. BrownAs regards the first part of the Question, I would refer my hon. and learned Friend to the reply which I gave to his question on this subject on 11th July. Careful consideration is at present being given to the scope for further increases in stocking, and if in any cases it proves necessary to take possession of forests to ensure their proper utilisation I am ready to arrange for the exercise of existing powers to that end. With regard to the second part of the Question, pigs do not live by bracken alone, and apart from the difficulties that would be involved in the provision of the necessary fencing and feeding stuffs, little of the bracken infested land on deer forests would be suitable for arable cultivation even if cleared.
§ Mr. Gibsonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland on what deer forests stags and hinds were killed by persons in the service of the Crown or of agricultural executive committees; by whom these deer forests, respectively, were owned, and by whom, respectively, were they tenanted at the time; what sums were paid in respect of such services by the respective owners and tenants; and whether he has any statement to make regarding further steps he proposes to take to minimise all such losses to agriculture in Scotland?
§ Mr. BrownAgricultural executive committees in the Highlands have been active in encouraging deer killing operations and the very satisfactory results obtained have been largely due to co-operation among owners and between owners and the committees. No compulsory orders have been found necessary and the only action taken by executive committees involving expenditure from public funds was in Perthshire where deer1170W drives were organised in co-operation with the owners and occupiers concerned. The area covered consisted largely of sheep farms on which deer had encroached, but included the Glenartney Forest which is owned and occupied by the Drummond Estates, Limited, whose staff co-operated in the work. The main cost of these operations amounting to £619 was borne by the committees, who received £403 from the sale of carcases. I have no information as to the sums expended by owners and tenants. As regards the last part of the Question, I am satisfied that the powers delegated to executive committees in connection with deer killing operations are sufficient and that committees will continue to take effective steps to minimise depredation by deer.