§ Mr. C. BATHURSTasked whether, in view of the importance to the poorer agriculturists of the extension of agricultural credit banks in Great Britain and the delay which has occurred in initiating legislation on this subject since it was first promised by the President of the Board of Agriculture, the Government propose to afford facilities for the passing into law this Session of the Agricultural Credit and Insurance Societies Bill recently introduced into the House of Lords?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI am afraid I cannot hold out any great hope of this Bill, the importance of which I fully recognise, being passed into law during the present Session.
§ Mr. C. BATHURSTI should like to ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he is aware that the continued postponement of legislation on this subject has been standing in the way of voluntary effort with the same desirable object?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI quite agree as to the importance of the matter?
§ Mr. CHARLES BATHURSTasked what is the total amount now standing to the credit of the small holdings account, and what proportion of this it is proposed to devote to the purposes of the Agricultural Credit and Insurance Societies Bill?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of AGRICULTURE (Sir E. Strachey)The amount now standing to the credit of the account is £49,597 2s. 5d. It is not possible to make any estimate of the amount which will be required for the purposes of the Credit and Insurance Societies Bill.
§ Mr. C. BATHURSTIs it proposed altogether to divert this fund from the original purpose for which it is intended under the Act?
§ Sir E. STRACHEYAs far as I am aware there will be no power to divert it for any purpose for which it is not intended to be applied.
§ Mr. C. BATHURSTIs it not possible under this proposed Bill that the whole of it will be diverted to a purpose for which it was not originally intended?
§ Sir E. STRACHEYIf the hon. Member is not satisfied with my answer he must give me notice of another question.