§ Mr. Buchanan-Smithasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give for each county of Scotland the total rates paid on agricultural buildings in 1968–69.
482Wwere the population figures and changes for each county
§ Mr. RossThe following table shows for each county and, city in Scotland the population at the census of 1961, the Registrar General's estimate of the population at 30th June, 1968, the increase or decrease over the period, and the increase or decrease expressed as a percentage of the population in 1961.
§ Mr. RossComprehensive information by counties is not readily available. An estimate for Scotland as a whole was given on 23rd April in reply to the hon. Member for Aberdeenshire, West (Mr. James Davidson).—[Vol. 782, c.76.]
483W
§ Mr. Mackintoshasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will now make a statement on the rating of agricultural buildings, in the light of representations made by the National Farmers Union of Scotland.
§ Mr. RossI have now completed my consideration of the representations made by the union. I was particularly impressed by the argument that intensive producers benefit neither from full agricultural de-rating nor from the present 50 per cent. relief from rates afforded to industry in Scotland. I therefore propose to set in hand the preparation of legislation to enable the same measure of partial relief available to industry to be provided for buildings used for intensive agricultural production.