Agricultural Department (Estimates)

HC Deb 21 December 1961 vol 651 cc192-3W

Mr. W. Hamilton

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what property has been acquired by his agricultural department which has resulted in an increased estimate of £12,000: and for what purpose the property is to be used.

Mr. Maclay

The property in question is Beechwood Farm, Inverness, one of the Department's livestock improvement stud farms, which it had previously occupied as a tenant since 1913.

Mr. W. Hamilton

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many staff are involved in the increase of £107,000 in the salaries of officials of the Department of Agriculture.

Mr. Maclay

The £107,000 includes the cost of salary increases for 725 members of the staff, with arrears backdated from 1st May, 1958, and 1st January, 1960 (£102,000); increased allowances for 187 (£2,000); and the salaries for 6 new posts (£3,000).

Mr. W. Hamilton

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland why there has been an increase in the silo subsidies from the original estimate of £50,000 to £65,000 in the current financial year.

Mr. Maclay

The demand did not fall to the extent expected, but actual expenditure in Scotland is still estimated to be £10,000 less than in 1960–61.

Mr. W. Hamilton

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give details of the £110,000 additional sum required above the original estimate for payment of loans and grants to crofters and others; how much of this sum is loan; how much is grant; and who received such sums besides crofters.

Mr. Maclay

The demand by crofters for grants under the Crofters Agricultural Grants Scheme, administered by the Crofters Commission, has exceeded expectations, and it is now estimated that an additional sum of £100,000 will be required to meet claims by crofters in the current financial year. The remaining £10,000 is required to meet possible claims by those persons other than crofters who are now eligible for these grants, by virtue of the Crofting Counties Agricultural Grants (Scotland) Scheme, 1961, which came into operation on 1st December. None of the additional £110,000 relates to loans.