54. Mr. De la Bèreasked the Minister of Agriculture what steps are being taken by the Ministry to ensure the efficient equipping of farms with machinery in order to maintain and improve output and assist the production of home-grown foodstuffs?
§ The Minister of Agriculture (Mr. W. S. Morrison)As my hon. Friend will appreciate, the equipping of farms with machinery is a matter for farmers themselves.
Mr. De la BèreDoes the right hon. Gentleman think it possible to produce more home-grown foodstuffs without the right sort of machinery; and is he aware of the complete and abject state of poverty of the agricultural industry?
§ Mr. LiddallIs my right hon. Friend aware that all the best agricultural machinery can be obtained at Lincoln on the instalment system?
§ Mr. TurtonIs my right hon. Friend aware that what cannot be obtained at Lincoln can be obtained at Thirsk?
§ Mr. MorrisonI am aware of the fact that agricultural machinery is important to the industry and also of the excellent facilities to which my hon. Friend has drawn attention.