§ Sir D. Robertsonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how much has been paid to the owner-occupier of Stanstill Farm, Caithness, as compensation for the farm's rejection for hill cattle subsidy; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MaclayNo such compensation has been paid. The farm has been receiving hill cattle subsidy regularly since 1952 on that part which my Department have accepted as hill farming land within the meaning of the Act. There is discretion under the Hill Cattle Subsidy (Scotland) Scheme to allow cattle to be wintered, under certain circumstances, on lower ground and after a further inspection by my Department in 1960 this discretion was exercised in the case of Stanstill farm. There is no provision for compensation in terms of the Scheme.
§ Sir D. Robertsonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland why payment of hill cattle subsidy is made to the tenant of Borgie Mains Farm, Caithness, in view of its rejection by inspectors from the Department of Agriculture, who found 85W that the farm did not qualify and reported accordingly.
§ Mr. MaclayThe function of the inspectors in this matter is to report on the facts and make recommendations; and not to reach decisions. In the light of the various reports which have been made from time to time and of other relevant considerations, subsidy has been paid in respect of Borgie Mains Farm for each year since the introduction of hill cattle subsidy.