Mr. Buchanasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many rents of smallholdings controlled by his Department have been increased in the last 18 months in Scotland and in Renfrewshire, respectively; how many smallholders are at present in receipt of notices of intention to raise rents; and what is the policy of his Department in connection with the rents of smallholdings.
§ Mr. RossThe rents of 407 smallholdings in Scotland managed by the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland have been increased in the last 18 months; 21 of these holdings are in Renfrewshire. Notices requesting revision of rent have been served on a further 680 smallholders of whom 63 are in Renfrewshire.
My Department is engaged in a general revision of rents of the smallholdings it manages. The last revision took place in 1953–54. A fresh revision is necessary in order to maintain a reasonable relativity with rent changes occurring in agriculture 75W generally, to go some way towards meeting increasing costs of upkeep and also to encourage the proper use of land.