HC Deb 31 July 1918 vol 109 c420
40. Colonel ROYDS

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture if he will give the number of Fordson tractors with Oliver plough attached now at the disposal of the Food Production Department and also state the type of the 1,700 heavier tractors now available and of the further 200 to be provided?

Sir R. WINFREY

Three thousand seven hundred and eighty Fordson tractors with Oliver ploughs are at the disposal of the Department, but not all of these are proposed to be used for the Department's own tractor scheme. The 1,700 heavier tractors are of the following types:—Titan, 25 h.p. Mogul, Saunderson, Overtime, 35 h.p. Clayton. The further 200 tractors will be 35 h.p. Clayton.

Colonel ROYDS

Would it not be practical, seeing that there is so much land to plough up a little later, to make a considerable addition to the heavier type of tractors because the Fordson tractor is quite unsuitable to plough any land except light land, and that is really quite unsuitable to spring work?

Sir R. WINFREY

I think the Food Production Department are of opinion that the 200 heavier tractors now on order will be sufficient for the purpose.

Colonel ROYDS

Are the war agricultural committees not making representations on the subject?

Sir R. WINFREY

I do not think that any war agricultural committees are asking for more heavier tractors than we have provided.