1. Mr. STUARTasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether any negotiations have been taking place aimed at formulating an agricultural credits scheme for Scotland; and, if so, when he anticipates that the scheme will be put into operation?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for SCOTLAND (Mr. William Adamson)I would refer the hon. Member to the 1654 reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Orkney and Shetland (Sir R. Hamilton) on this subject last Tuesday.
§ Mr. MACPHERSONIs the right hon. Gentleman's Department taking any steps to expedite this matter?
§ Mr. ADAMSONI have already said that every step is being taken that I can take in order to expedite this matter.
§ Major MCKENZIE WOODDoes the right hon. Gentleman not realise that it is very hard that English farmers should have the benefit of this scheme and that Scottish farmers should not?
§ Mr. ADAMSONI understand that perfectly, but my hon. Friends who are pressing this question so persistently also know the difficulties that we are in with regard to the Scottish banks.
§ Mr. SKELTONCan the right hon. Gentleman hold out any hope of an early settlement of this important question?
§ Mr. ADAMSONI have already promised that we will get this matter settled as soon as we possibly can.