§ 22. Mr. Grimondasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make the present grants to crofters available to owner-occupiers in the Highland area of holdings equivalent to crofts.
§ Mr. MaclayNo. I have no powers under the Crofters (Scotland) Act, 1955, to extend the Crofters Agricultural Grants Scheme to cover owner-occupiers. As the hon. Member knows, however, financial assistance in respect of farm bindings can be given to certain classes of small owner-occupiers.
§ 23. Mr. Grimondasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give an estimate of the number of farmers in Orkney and Shetland who will lose marginal grants when the new policy for small farmers takes effect.
§ Mr. MaclayI am not at the moment able to make a reliable estimate of the effect of the Government's proposals on individual counties.