§ Mr. Malcolm MacMillanasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will make a statement on the Scottish Land Court's survey, in conjunction with the local agricultural committee, of the Ross and Cromarty deer forests, giving figures for deer forest acreage and land judged suitable for cultivation or grazing, and of the surveyor's estimate of the stock-carrying capacity for cattle and sheep, respectively?
§ Mr. E. BrownIn the area of the agricultural executive committee for Ross and Cromarty (Mainland), the Scottish Land Court surveyed 31 deer forests, comprising a total acreage of 624,000 acres. The acreage suitable for cultivation or grazing was not separately assessed. The permanent carrying capacity of the forests, in excess of existing stocks, was estimated at 8,100 sheep and 80 cattle. In addition, it was estimated that the forests could summer 14,800 sheep and 320 cattle, over and above the numbers summered last year.