Prairie Buster Plough, Shetland

Oral Answers to Questions — Scotland – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 22 February 1949.

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Photo of Major Sir Basil Neven-Spence Major Sir Basil Neven-Spence , Orkney and Shetland 12:00, 22 February 1949

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will arrange to have a Prairie Buster plough permanently stationed in Shetland to facilitate the work of breaking in hill land.

Photo of Mr Arthur Woodburn Mr Arthur Woodburn , Clackmannan and Eastern

I regret that the limited number of Prairie Buster ploughs held by the Tractor Service of the Department of Agriculture for Scotland will not permit of one being permanently stationed in Shetland. I shall keep the request in mind should additional ploughs of this type become available.

Photo of Major Sir Basil Neven-Spence Major Sir Basil Neven-Spence , Orkney and Shetland

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that some years ago in Orkney it was found that this kind of plough with a caterpillar track was the only effective and economic means of breaking in the wet and stony hill land? What is the point of whetting our appetites for this sort of plough in the Shetlands and then denying it to us?

Photo of Mr Arthur Woodburn Mr Arthur Woodburn , Clackmannan and Eastern

I appreciate the hon. Gentleman's point, but the number of these ploughs is limited. They are rather formidable to transport from one place to another. However, I shall keep the matter in mind.

Photo of Sir John Macleod Sir John Macleod , Ross and Cromarty

Will the right hon. Gentleman keep the matter in mind for other areas in Scotland?