§ Mr. Leslieasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how much deer forest or similar vacant lands in Scotland during the past three years has been stocked exclusively under the direction and management of State officers and how much indirectly under the direction and management of local agricultural executive committees or similar agencies; whether any reports have been made or considered by him on such stocked lands; and whether he proposes to accelerate the further utilisation of such vacant lands by direct management or indirectly through such agencies as agricultural executive committees?
Mr. Johnston94,000 acres of deer forest and other similar vacant land are being stocked by the Department of Agriculture. Another 102,000 acres are being managed by agricultural executive committees. The lands under committee management are primarily intended for letting to tenants or for use as seasonal grazings. I am satisfied with the method adopted for the utilisation of these lands and with the progress so far made. Further developments on similar lines will depend among other things on the availability of suitable stocks to put on deer forest lands.
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