46. Mr. W. H. K. Bakerasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimate he has made of the costs of reclamation of an acre of bogland for arable agricultural purposes; how this compares with reclamation of an acre of land from scrub or heather-covered ground for similar purposes; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. BuchanIn Scotland virtually all land of arable potential has already been reclaimed for arable farming. Reclamation for grazing purposes is encouraged by a variety of schemes, with rates of grant of up to 85 per cent. For bogland the range of costs is usually from £70 to £150 per acre; for scrub and heather covered land, from £30 to £50 or more. This does not include the high continuing costs of maintenance and additional necessary investment in fixed equipment including buildings.