HC Deb 04 March 1918 vol 103 cc1694-5
32. Mr. PENNEFATHER

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture what arrangements are being made to supply farmers with agricultural implements, such as reapers and binders, necessary to enable them to harvest the grain crops on the increased arable acreage?

Mr. PROTHERO

In reply, I beg leave to refer my hon. Friend to a reply given to the hon. Member for North Sussex on the 31st January. The number of Government reapers on order or delivered is now 6,100.

Mr. G. LAMBERT

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the price of these reapers is about double the pre-war price, and will any opportunity be taken to reduce the price?

Mr. PROTHERO

I am afraid that we cannot control the increase in prices. Everything has gone up so much that it is impossible to control them.

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