§ Mr. Maclennanasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the total acreage of land improved with grants 212W from the Crofters Commission in 1967; what was the total sum paid out in grants for this purpose in 1967 by the Commission; and what was the percentage difference in acreage improved with such grants compared with 1966.
§ Mr. Ross2,567; £49,720; a decrease of 22.2 per cent.
The drop in 1967 is partly accounted for by the falling rate in Lewis which is now at the stage of consolidation, most of the improvement for which there is scope having been done by this time. Weather during the year was also unfavourable.
§ Mr. Maclennanasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if it is the practice of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to deduct from the amount of grant payable to farmers in the seven crofting counties under the Farm Improvement Scheme such sum as has been paid to the farmer by the Highlands and Islands Development Board towards the cost of the improvement.