§ 51. Sir A. Baillieasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that the present scheme for providing cheap lime and basic slag to the agricultural industry is of no particular benefit to fruit growers, who require fertilisers of a different character; and whether he will consider the desirability of introducing a scheme for providing fruit growers with the fertilisers which they require at reduced prices on the same lines as the Land Fertility Scheme?
§ Mr. W. S. MorrisonThe reasons for the assistance given under the Land Fertility Scheme for lime and slag were explained when the Agriculture Act, 1937, was before Parliament, and would not justify an extension of the kind suggested by my hon. Friend.
§ Sir A. BaillieWill my right hon. Friend say why, in giving assistance to agriculture as a whole, there should be any differentiation between one form of farming and another?
§ Mr. MorrisonThe whole matter is rather a large one, and I think was covered fully in the Debates upon the Agriculture Act. If my hon. Friend cares to communicate with me I will give him the reasons again in detail, but they are too long to state at Question Time.
Mr. De la BèreWhy should there be discrimination against fruit growers, and loganberry growers as well?
§ Mr. Charles WilliamsIs it not a fact that lime is most useful to fruit growers who know their job?