§ Mr. Gallacherasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the estimated 417W reserves of peat in the Highlands; what proportion is reasonably accessible and workable; what was the production in 1946 and in the current year; and what developments can be expected in the near future, particularly in respect of mechanised extraction.
§ Mr. WoodburnPrecise information on all the points raised by the hon. Member is not available. While peat resources in the Highlands and Islands are undoubtedly large, it is not possible to say what proportion would be reasonably workable. In addition to the considerable quantities cut by crofters generally for their own use, some 2,000 tons of peat were produced this summer for sale under schemes promoted by my Department in Lewis and Caithness. The possibility of extending these schemes next year and of mechanised extraction is under examination.