§ Mr. Sloanasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that many smallholders in Ayrshire are being driven entirely out of business through the indiscriminate reduction in feeding-stuffs granted for pigs and poultry; that a large proportion of these smallholders are ex-Service men who were encouraged by the Department of Agriculture for Scotland to 1299W set up in business; and what steps he is taking to secure that these people should be able to earn a livelihood?
Mr. WedderburnMy right hon. Friend is aware that Government smallholders, among others, may suffer severely because of the reductions in feeding-stuffs, but restrictions cannot be avoided, and I am afraid that any discrimination between individuals or categories of individuals is impracticable. As regards the last part of the Question, the needs for national service of many kinds are so great that I should hope that any who are unable to maintain their holdings will have no difficulty in finding other suitable employment on farms or elsewhere.