§ 64. Mr. CHRISTIEasked the Minister of Agriculture if his attention has been called to the small amount of the loans granted by the banks under the short-term credit scheme of the Agricultural Credits Act, 1928; whether he is aware that this amount is inadequate for the carrying on of the industry; and whether he will provide the banks with funds so that the amount available for short-term loans will be largely increased?
§ Dr. ADDISONThe total number of agricultural charges registered under Part II of the Agricultural Credits Act, 1928, is slightly in excess of 2,000. I am not able to state the gross amount of the advances secured by these charges, but it represents only a fraction of the total amount of bank advances to farmers. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.