§ Mr. YERBURGHasked the Chancellor whether, in view of the necessity for the 949 provision of loans to small holders at a low rate of interest, he is prepared to give effect to the recommendation of the Small Holdings Committee, 1905, that practical steps should be taken by the Government to encourage the formation of agricultural credit societies by means of State loans on the approved security of a central cooperative agricultural credit association?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEI am afraid this is too large a question to be adequately dealt with in an answer across the floor of the House.
§ Mr. YERBURGHMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether it is not the policy of His Majesty's Government to encourage small holdings and whether they have not decided that one of the best ways of doing that is to establish these agricultural credit societies throughout the country?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEThat is a question which it is very much easier to ask than to answer, and it would be very much better answered by Debate than by a simple yes or no in reply to a simple question.
§ Mr. YERBURGHWould the Chancellor of the Exchequer receive a deputation of the Agricultural Organisation Society?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEI say "Yes" to that.
§ Mr. ALDENWill any funds be available under the Development Act?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEThere are a great many claims under the Development Act. Unless the hon. Member has some suggestions to lay before us definitely I should be very sorry to answer the question in the affirmative.