asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the financial advantage which farmers in the crofting area have over those not in the crofting counties.

Apart from minor differences relating to compensatory allowances and the special grant to the Scottish islands there are no variations between the assistance available to farmers in the crofting counties and those elsewhere. There are, however, special grant schemes available to crofters and others of similar status. Details of these are given in my Department's and the Crofters Commission's Annual Reports.