asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he is yet in a position to say that legislation will be introduced at an early date to carry out the suggestions for immediate action contained in the Deer Forest Report, namely, the extension of deer forests to be forbidden by Statute except with special sanction from the Secretary for Scotland; an annual return of the stock of sheep and cattle in each deer forest to be made to the Board of Agriculture; and local committees; with independent chairmen, to classify the deer forests and determine the stock that each should carry?

On my instructions a Bill has been drafted on the lines of the recommendations of the Deer Forest Committee and the Committee on Game and Heather Burning. I am not, however, in a position to give an undertaking as to the date of the introduction of the measure.

Will it be introduced next month before the Recess?

I cannot give an under, taking. My hon. and gallant Friend must remember first of all the limited resources of the Scottish Office in the matter of drafting, and, secondly, the pressure of business at this stage of the Session.