Earl of Dalkeithasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many acres of hill farming land in each of the College areas in Scotland he estimates to have a seriously reduced productive capability due to infestation by bracken; and on how many acres in 1968 and 1969 grant was paid for bracken eradication.
§ Mr. RossThe best estimate for Scotland as a whole is about 400,000 acres 359W concentrated mainly in Argyllshire, Perthshire and the Southern Uplands.
In 1968 and 1969 grant towards bracken control was paid on identified acreages of about 3,700 and 4,600 respectively. There is some bracken control work under other land improvement schemes but I have no details.