§ Mr. Kimballasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many sheep farms which have been acquired for planting are now being farmed by the Forestry Commissioners.
§ Mr. Maclay:Five sheep farms owned by the Forestry Commission are being farmed by them until the ground is planted with trees. The agricultural 66W residue of one of the farms will be let from Martinmas, 1957; in the remaining four farms the land will be almost completely planted.
§ Mr. Kimballasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many shepherds were employed by the Forestry Commission on 1st February, 1957; and how many of them received wages more than 5s. above the standard wage laid down by the Agricultural Wages Order.
§ Mr. Maclay:The answer to the first part of the Question is nine and to the second part seven. Three of those in receipt of higher wages were in charge of farms; the remaining four were employed where continuity of employment could not be guaranteed.
§ Mr. Kimballasked the Secretary of State for Scotland the average valuation price for North Country Cheviot ewes and lambs paid by the Forestry Commissioners when taking over hill farms for planting.
§ Mr. Maclay:The Forestry Commission have taken over North Country Cheviot sheep stock on only one occasion in recent years; and it would be inappropriate for me to give details of individual transactions.