§ Mr. Hurdasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give particulars of the total grants paid until 30th October, 1951, under the Hill Farming Act and the Livestock Rearing Act; the number of schemes submitted; and the number of schemes approved.
§ Mr. J. StuartAt 31st October, 1951, the total grants paid in Scotland under the Hill Farming and Livestock Rearing Acts amounted to £318,188 1s. 10d.
A total of 1,200 proposals for schemes had been submitted in Scotland at that date. Of these, 222 had been rejected, mainly because the farms concerned did not comprise eligible land. There were, therefore, 978 "live" schemes, including 438 schemes formally appproved and 251 schemes approved in principle and awaiting completion of particulars by applicants.
The 689 schemes (approved or approved in principle) involved 873 farms covering an area of 2,325,280 acres and included improvement works 26W estimated to cost £3,831,400. Grant is payable at the rate of 50 per cent. of the cost of approved works.