§ 40. Mr. MACPHERSONasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress, if any, he has made in putting into operation the provisions of the Agricultural Credits (Scotland) Act, 1929?
§ 42. Mr. DUNCAN MILLARasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps have been taken to bring into operation the provisions of Part I of the Agricultural Credits (Scotland) Act, 1929?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for SCOTLAND (Mr. William Adamson)Active negotiations have been proceeding, and the position now is that two alternative methods of meeting the difficulties are in an advanced stage of discussion. I hope, to be in a position ere long to announce that one or other of these will be adopted.
§ Mr. MACPHERSONIs not my right hon. Friend aware that two years ago an English Act corresponding to this one was passed, and has been in active operation for over a year; and is he aware that, while the English farmers are getting credit, the Scottish farmers are not?
§ Mr. ADAMSONI am well aware of that fact, but I would remind my right hon. and learned Friend that the difficulty, so far as Scotland is concerned, has been in getting the banks to take up the schemes as freely as the English banks did.
§ Mr. MILLARCan the right hon. Gentleman inform the House that the Scottish banks are now prepared to take them up?