§ Mr. J. Taylorasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many new farms, crofts and smallholdings have been established in Scotland during the years 1946 to 1954, inclusive; and how many acres have been reclaimed and resettled in Scotland during the same period.
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§ Mr. SnaddenDuring the years 1946 to 1954 inclusive, 36 new holdings were constituted in Scotland by the Secretary of State under land settlement powers. The total extent of these holdings was 1,740 acres. No land reclamation was involved.
§ Mr. J. Taylorasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many applications were in the possession of the Department of Agriculture for Scotland at the end of 1945 for new farms, crofts and smallholdings; how many have been received since; and how many applications have been granted.
§ Mr. SnaddenThe number of outstanding applications for holdings held by the Department at 31st December, 1945, was 10,573. Between that date and the end of 1954 a further 5,627 applications were received and 448 applicants were placed on holdings. A large proportion of the outstanding applications are now likely to be ineffective for various reasons.
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§ Mr. Patrick Maitlandasked the Secretary of State for Scotland the area of agricultural land, including grazings, in Scotland in 1933, 1939, 1943, 1946 and 1953; and if he will state the acreage of forests in the same years.
§ Mr. SnaddenThe acreages shown by the official returns are as follows:
Year Agricultural land including rough grazings (a) Forests (b) Thousand acres Thousand acres 1933 … … 15,054 1,210 1939 … … 15,023 1,265 1943 … … 15,252 1,285 1946 … … 15,376 1,295 1953 … … 15,284 1,400 (a) Includes land in deer forests used or capable of being used, for grazing.
(b) The forest area figures relate to 30th September and cover potential as well as actual forests, i.e., they include areas of felled, devastated and scrub woodlands.