HC Deb 17 June 1918 vol 107 cc11-2
19. Mr. GEORGE LAMBERT

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture if, for the cultivation scheme for 1918–19, preference will be given to a system whereby farmers shall be able to purchase tractors and work them under their own supervision, rather than that tractor-ploughing shall be controlled from Whitehall?

The PRESIDENT Of the BOARD Of AGRICULTURE (Mr. Prothero)

Over 1,000 Government tractors have recently been released, in order to satisfy unfulfilled orders placed by farmers. With reference to the last part of the question, I would remind the right hon. Member that the Government tractors are placed under the local control of the Agricultural Executive Committees, in order to assist farmers to carry out work which they are unable to undertake with their own resources.