§ Mr. Russell Johnstonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what provision has been made to acquaint crofters and those of like economic status of applications to remove crofts from crofting tenure.
§ Mr. RossAll applications under Section 16(9) of the Crofters (Scotland) Act 1955 are investigated on the ground by my local lands officer who has to report whether there is a local crofter demand. This he does from his own local knowledge and by such further inquiries as he thinks it necessary to make as for instance consulting the town ship clerk. The Crofters Commission,240W whose advice is always sought, makes its own independent inquiries and consultations.
§ Mr. Russell Johnstonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many crofts have been taken out of crofting tenure since 1955 in each year; and what were the respective acreages.
§ Mr. RossThe figures are as follows:
No record is kept of the acreage of croft land taken out of crofting tenure.
Crofts Parts of Crofts 1955 — — 1956 5 — 1957 11 — 1958 13 — 1959 21 — 1960 14 — 1961* 17 4 1962 10 19 1963 14 31 1964 16 21 1965 22 40 1966 8 8 * This was the first year in which directions for part crofts could be given.