HC Deb 30 June 1927 vol 208 cc569-70
42. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he can report any progress with the proposal to provide cheaper credits for farmers and other agriculturists; what are the present obstacles to the introduction of the necessary legislation; and whether part of the proposed credits will be made available for the deep-sea fisheries of the country?

Mr. GUINNESS

I regret that I am not yet in a position to make any statement with regard to agricultural credit. With regard to the last part of the question, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply I gave on the 16th May last to the hon. Member for the Don Valley (Mr. T. Williams).

Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the reply to which he has referred me does not deal at all with deep-sea fisheries; and will he also be kind enough to answer the second part of the question?

Mr. GUINNESS

I find on reference to the reply that it did not specifically deal with deep-sea fisheries but obviously a form of agricultural credit to be advanced on land mortgage could not be suitable for the fishing industry, where the security would only be the boats and gear.

Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer the second part of my question?

Mr. GUINNESS

I have explained that matter thoroughly in the answer to which I have referred the hon. Member. We are negotiating, but I am doubtful if it would be helpful to discuss the details of the difficulties in Parliament at this stage.

Mr. H. WILLIAMS

May I ask whether the Press agitation decrying the condition of British agriculture is crippling the Government's effort to provide credit for this industry?

Mr. GUINNESS

I am getting a good many representations that, owing to the decrying of agricultural credit, merchants are pressing farmers to pay off their debts.

Sir ROBERT SANDERS

Can the right hon. Gentleman give us any idea when he will be able to answer the first part of this question?

Mr. GUINNESS

I have said in answer to at least three questions in the last week that we are doing all we can to find a, solution, and when I have anything to announce I shall announce it.

Mr. DIXEY

Is there any possibility of its being announced this Session?

Mr. GUINNESS

I really have nothing to add to what I have said.

Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

With regard to the right hon. Gentleman's answer about the Press agitation, does he not think that agriculture has been helped by previous agitations, and why does he ride off by blaming the newspapers?

Mr. GUINNESS

I did not blame the Press. I was asked whether there was a restriction of credit owing to the decrying of agricultural credit, and I answered that I have had correspondence which bears out that suggestion.

Mr. E. BROWN

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think the Press is rendering a great service to agriculture by calling attention to the great difficulties under which it is labouring?